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Blown

,

in the phrase “fly-blown,” has nothing to do with the verb to blow (as the wind blows). It means that flies have deposited their eggs and tainted the article. In French, deposer des œufs de mouches sur … and a fly-blow is un œuf de mouche. The word seems to be connected with blot, the egg of a moth or other insect.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Blount (Charles)
Blouse
1. Blow (To)
2. Blow (To)
3. Blow (To)
4. Blow
Blow a Cloud
Blow Me (an oath)
Blow Out (A)
Blow-point
Blown
Blown Herrings
Blown upon
Blowzelinda
Blowzy
Blubber
Blubber Cheeks
Bluchers
Blue
Blue (A)
Blue-apron Statesman (A)