Comment from pome lover

Excellent

I remember that song.
and I am not one of them (any more)!
I hate to admit that I smoked for over 25 years (really stupid) and after my husband died of lung cancer, I quit, cold turkey. When I moved back to Texas, my pulmonologist put me on an inhaler and I honestly credit him for saving my life.
Anyway, that's an interesting post, Judy. Didn't know about the coffin fingernails or the Chinese parents' threat to kids. But "they" are right about cigarettes! Can't stand to be around anyone who smokes. And I think back to the poor people who probably couldn't stand to be around me as I 'Puffed, puffed, puffed that cigarette." ugh!
interesting reminder of that horrible habit. Hope it helps someone to quit.
Katharine

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Dec-2021

Thanks so much for your review, and what great comments. My parents didn't smoke, so I didn't develop the habit. You were fortunate to finally get the message. I was surprised to find out how long people had suspected cigarettes of causing heart trouble and lung cancer before anything was done to try to prevent people from smoking. When I was i college, the professors smoked in the classroom, and I couldn't stand the smoke. No one back in those days would dare tell someone you'd prefer that he didn't smoke. judi

Comment from prettybluebirds

Excellent

Yep, I remember all those cigarette commercials everywhere one looked. I tried smoking once when I was young and it cured me forever. There are still many who puff those things like chimneys.Thank you for this interesting and informative writing.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Dec-2021

Thanks so much for your review and comments. I never smoked myself, maybe because my parents didn't. I remember smoking in the classrooms when I was in college, and it wasn't pleasant. Have an excellent weekend. judi

Comment from Goodadvicechan

Excellent

Thank you for sharing the story of cigarettes. I remember in the 60's, smoking was the fashion. If you didn't smoke, you were out of place. My parents and two brothers smoked but I never like smoking. Since my mother passed away due to lung cancer. Everyone of my family members quits smoking.

Once more, thank you for sharing the story of coffin nails.

 Comment Written 01-Dec-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Dec-2021

Thanks for your review and comments. I grew up in that same era, too. When I was in college, the professors smoked. You didn't dare complain at that time, though. judi

Comment from Shirley McLain

Excellent

I didn't know tex Williams was such a handsome guy as a young man. I only saw him as an older man. Enjoyed the song and the information about the coffin nails. You did an excellent job. Enjoy your day. Shirley

 Comment Written 01-Dec-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Dec-2021

Hi, Shirley, and thanks so much for your review and comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the song. Those coffin-shaped nails were a new one to me. judi

Comment from Judy Lawless

Excellent

Thanks for sharing this interesting idiom, judi, and the research you did on it. I had no idea that a century ago anyone realized the dangers of cigarette smoking. It did take a long time to sink in. We occasionally watch old movies, and it seems so strange to see everyone smoking in them. Now, when a new movie might take place back then, some smoking has returned to the silver screen. But now e-cigs are the rage and far more dangerous!

 Comment Written 01-Dec-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Dec-2021

Thanks so much for your review and comments. I was surprised to learn that there was an anti-smoking movement that long ago. It seems like the movies glamorized smoking. I watch a lot of old movies and TV shows, and it seems like everyone was lighting up. I don't know that much about the e-cigarettes, but it doesn't sound like they're a good idea. judi

reply by Judy Lawless on 01-Dec-2021

You're welcome, judi. It seems that e-cigarettes contain chemicals that are far more dangerous to health than nicotine, but it only effects the smoker.

reply by the author on 01-Dec-2021

I hate being around people who are smoking. judi

reply by Judy Lawless on 01-Dec-2021

Me too!

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Yes, it is certainly an apt expression for cigarettes. I enjoyed your informative article, and found the origins interesting. It will be a good addition to the book of idioms.
Wendy

 Comment Written 01-Dec-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Dec-2021

Thanks so much for your review and comments. There have been quite a collection of idioms so far. judi

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

A fine addition to the compendium. Fascinating to learn of the origin--had I ever thought about it, I would have thought the reference to cigarettes came later. Stunning revelation, masterfully delivered.

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2021

Thanks so much for your review and comments. People knew of the dangers of smoking early on. They must have enjoyed puff, puff, puffing too much to do anything about it then. judi

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Interesting about the square-shaped finger nails. I never did like them! (The Higher Abdication needs quotation marks at the end) So the government knew cigarettes were deadly when they handed free packs to troops. Wonder how much the tobacco industry paid it.
Post-coital cigarette-- love it.
Thanks for including the hilarious song.

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2021

Thanks so much for your review and the great comments. I don't know how you could get anything done with those Coffin Nail fingernails. I'd not heard of that expression before. I remember listening to that song as a kid. judi

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

I've have heard them called coffin nails. There was a time when people actually believe smoking could expand your lungs. In the 1930's when people first started to question they impact on health, the cigarette companies hired doctors to appear on ads endorsing them and saying they were safe. It was 1964 when the Surgeon General began making them put warning on the ads that things started to change. I"m glad you are adding to the idoim book.

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2021

Thanks so much for your review and comments. When I was in college, many of the professors smoked. It didn't make for a pleasant room, as I don't like cigarette smoke. Back then, no one would speak up and say they objected to someone smoking. judi

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

Judi,

Yeah, it's pretty scary how those things work. People who smoke KNOW exactly how dangerous it is for them but they persist in a 'Not me' mentality. And so it goes. Nice presentation!

 Comment Written 30-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 30-Nov-2021

Thanks so much for your review and comments. Some smokers do escape the dire consequences, but the risk isn't worth it. judi