E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bloom’erism.
A female costume; so called from Mrs. Amelia Bloomer, of New York, who tried in 1849 to introduce the fashion. The dress consisted of a short skirt and loose trousers gathered closely round the ankles—becoming enough to young ladies in their teens, but ridiculous for “the fat and forty.”
