blue-nose

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

The slang name for a native of Nova Scotia.


"Pray, sir," said one of my fellow passengers, "can you tell me why the Nova Scotians are called 'Blue Noses?'"

"It is the name of a potatoe," said I, "which they produce in great perfection, and boast to be the best in the world. The Americans have, in consequence, given them the nick-name of Blue-noses."--Sam Slick.

After a run (in the steamer) of fourteen days, we entered the harbor of Halifax, amid the hearty cheers of a large number of Blue-noses.--Sir George Simpson's Overland Journey, Vol. I. p. 19.

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