bloomer

noun

1. An ironworker.
2. (informal)A large or embarrassing mistake; blunder.

   “What's more, I claim that Elmer's biggest mistake wasn't the one he made at Cedarville before six thousand witnesses. His prize bloomer was pulled in Hoboken before three witnesses”

   “"You know," pursued Reggie seriously, "I think you are making the bloomer of a lifetime over this hat-swatting chappie. You've misjudged him. He's a first-rate sort.[…]”

   “In 1933, four years before his death, Rutherford said, firmly and explicitly, that he didn't believe the energy of the nucleus would ever be released—nine years later, at Chicago, the first pile began to run. That was the only major bloomer in scientific judgment Rutherford ever made.”

   “After 12 successive league wins[…]Charlton were nobbled by the First Division's no-hopers, who profited from a goalkeeping bloomer then held on to their lead for dear life.”

3. A circular loaf of white bread.
4. A blooming flower.
5. (figuratively)One who blooms, matures, or develops.

   “She was a late bloomer.”

6. (historical)A reform costume for women, consisting of a short dress with loose trousers gathered around the ankles, and often a broad-brimmed hat.

   “Few garments are so absolutely unbecoming as a belted tunic that reaches to the knees, a fact which I wish some of our Rosalinds would consider when they don doublet and hose; indeed, to the disregard of this artistic principle is due the ugliness, the want of proportion, in the Bloomer costume, a costume which in other respects is sensible.”

   “Unlike other women landing from the steamers, she was neither short-skirted nor bloomer-clad. She was dressed as any woman travelling anywhere would be dressed.”

7. (broadly, historical)A woman who wears a Bloomer costume.
8. (attributive, form-of)Attributive form of bloomers.

   “It would have to be smuggled back to Josie’s bloomer drawer. He could persuade her to confirm his other ideas without letting her see that he had read her particularly private correspondence.”

   ““[…] But if the money’s not in your safe, where is it?” Even though they were entirely alone in the massive home, Audrey Adair leaned over and whispered. “In my bloomer drawer, dear. No man would ever look there.[…]””

   “She shrugged helplessly. But I knew why. Ellen still wore baggy, bloomer-type panties decorated with eyelet. The undies were comfortable, but not stylish. Not acceptable. Not like everyone else’s, and she didn’t want them in plain view.”

   “Bura^([sic – meaning Buru])-sera (“bloomer seller”) stores sell schoolgirls’ worn underpants (for around 5,000 to 8,000 yen per pair). Buru-sera shops […] have operated since the early 1990s, […]”

   “She always kept herself together --nails did, hair done, and always wore a "true lady's" attire. You wouldn't find a thong anywhere in here^([sic – meaning her]) "bloomer" drawer.”

name

1. A surname originating as an occupation.