English

Alternative forms

• blow-hard

Noun

blowhard ‎(plural blowhards)

1. (derogatory) A person who talks too much or too loudly, especially in a boastful or self-important manner.
   • 1861, "Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat," New York Times, 20 Oct., p. 2. (retrieved 24 Aug. 2009):

     The merchants are the most ultra Secessionists. . . . Some men of Northern origin were the most rabid. A "blowhard," named James Patterson, of Augusta, Jackson County, was originally from Pennsylvania. He stumped the county and was elected to the Convention, and cast his vote for secession.

   • 1896, Robert Barr, "The Shadow of the Greenback" in Revenge!:

     [T]he loud-mouthed blowhard seemed just the man to flinch when real danger confronted him.

   • 1941, "POLITICAL NOTES: Republican Rift?," Time, 17 Nov.:

     Oh, this bellowing, blatant, bellicose, belligerent, bombastic blowhard . . . .

   • 2008, Jo-Ellan Dimitrius and Wendy Mazzarella, Reading People, ISBN 9780345504135, p. 137:

     In my profession, I have seen more than my share of blowhards who use volume to intimidate the weak, fool the feeble-minded, or control the insecure or lazy.

Synonyms

• big mouth, blusterer, boaster, braggart, loudmouth, windbag

Translations