Aren't the last two the same.
. --Bequw → ¢ • τ 15:29, 19 December 2007 (UTC)
I have attempted to expand on the etymology theories. I am currently trying to reduce wordiness and improve ease of reading. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
BLIZZARD (7th S. v. 106).—The word blizzard is well known through the Midlands, and its cognates are fairly numerous. I have known the word and its kin fully thirty years. Country folk use the word to denote blazing, blasting, blinding, dazzling, or stifling. One who has had to face a severe storm of snow, hail, rain, dust, or wind, would say on reaching shelter that he has "faced a blizzer," or that the storm was "a regular blizzard." A blinding flash of lightning would call forth the exclamation, "My! that wor a blizzomer!" or "That wor a blizzer!" "Put towthry sticks on th' fire, an let's have a blizzer"—a blaze. "A good blizzom" = a good blaze. "That tree is blizzared" = blasted, withered. As an oath the word is often used, and "May I be blizzerded" will be readily understood.
BLIZZY. A blaze. "Blow the fire, and let's have a nice blizzy." This, though now considered a vulgarism, is a retention of the original A.-Sax. blysa, a blaze.
And Mrs. Parker, A Glossary of Words Used in Oxfordshire (1876):
Blizzy, a flaring fire produced by putting on small sticks. Ex. 'Let's 'a a bit of a blizzy afore us goes to bed.'
And from Barzillai Lowsley, A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases (1888):
BLIZZY.— A blaze. The fire is said to be all of a "blizzy" when pieces of wood have been inserted amongst the coal to make it burn cheerfully.
And from G. F. Northall, A Warwickshire Word-book (1896):
Blizzy, sb. A blaze, a blast, a flare of fire. A.-Sax. blysa, a blaze. Common.
They suggest that blizzy survived from the ancient word blysa in numerous localities and might well share a root with the U.S. blizzard.