The use of blow me: 'Why I even bother to write...'

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
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Could you please explain to me the use of blow me in the above sentence? What does it really mean?

Tom

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Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Blow Me (an oath). one reference, Tom.
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Hi Tom,

I used the expression ‘blow me’ short for ‘blow me down’ or ‘I’ll be blowed’ to indicate surprise as in: ‘Well, would you believe it?’. It may well come from some sailing expression when the wind was so strong on a sailing ship that it could literally ‘blow you down’ You would use it in this sort of context:

Imagine that you are talking about a friend you haven’t seen for ages to some people sitting in a pub or wherever and then suddenly this friend walks through the door. Your expression of great surprise could be: Well, blow me! Fancy seeing you! We were just talking about you.’

A

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