Bloomers. After Mrs Ann Bloomer of New York, who introduced the original nondescript style of “New Woman” in 1849.
Bloomsbury. A corruption of “Lomesbury,” the name of a manor house and grounds which stood on the site of the present square. “Lomesbury village” sprang up around the ancient church of St Giles’s in-the-Fields.
Bluchers. After Field-Marshal von Blucher, who affected this style of military half-boot.
Blue. An indecent story is said to be “blue” because harlots in the ancient Bridewell, and in more modern houses of correction or penitentiaries, were habited in blue gowns.
Blue Boar. An inn sign derived from the heraldic device of Richard III.
Blue Grass State. Kentucky, from the character of the orchard grass in this fertile limestone region.
Blue Hen’s Chickens. A nickname for the people of Delaware. The Delaware State Journal thus accounts for its origin: “At the beginning of the Revolutionary War there lived in Sussex county of that colony a gentleman of fortune named Caldwell, who was a sportsman, and breeder of fine horses and game-cocks. His favourite axiom was that the character of the progeny depends more on the mother than on the father, and that the finest game-cocks depended on the hen rather than on the cock. His observation led him to select a blue hen, and he never failed to hatch a good game-cock from a blue hen’s egg. Caldwell distinguished himself as an officer in the First Delaware[Delaware] Regiment for his daring spirit. The high state of its discipline was conceded to its exertions, so that when officers were sent on recruiting service it was said that they had gone home for more of Caldwell’s game-cocks; but as Caldwell insisted that no cock could be truly game unless its mother was a blue hen, the expression Blue Hen’s Chickens was substituted for game-cocks.”
Blue Law State. An old name for Connecticut, whose original settlers shared with the Puritans in the mother country a disgust of the licentiousness of the Court of the Restoration, and on this account were said to advocate “Blue” Laws.
Blue Noses. A nickname bestowed upon the Nova Scotians, from the species of potato which they produce and claim to be the best in the world.
Blue Peter. The flag hoisted at the mast head to give notice that a vessel is about to sail. Its name is a corruption of the French “Bleu Partir,” or blue departure signal.