The earliest meaning of English bully was “sweetheart .” The word was probably borrowed from Dutch boel, “lover.” Later bully was used for anyone who seemed a good fellow, then for a blustering daredevil.
What does bully mean in history?
If a feudal lord or town squire in the 1500s spoke of his “bully,” he was referring to his sweetheart , a definition that applied to both sexes and traces its etymological roots to the Dutch word boel, or “lover.” Several centuries later, the word’s meaning transformed from “fine fellow” into “blusterer”—someone full of ...
What did bully mean 500 years ago?
500 years ago “bully” (thought to be derived from the Dutch “boel” for brother, and the German “buhle” for lover) was a term of endearment . “Bully for you” also meant “bravo”, a positive, encouraging message.
What did bully mean in the 1800s?
As we learned in Meaning of “bully” in the 1800s it meant first rate in the 1800s, Merriam-Webster claims it meant “sweetheart” originally while today it’s “is usually one whose claims to strength and courage are based on the intimidation of those who are weaker”.
Where did the expression bully for you come from?
To force one’s way aggressively or by intimidation. : : ADJECTIVE: Excellent; splendid. : : INTERJECTION: Used to express approval: Bully for you! : : ETYMOLOGY: Possibly from Middle Dutch boele, sweetheart, probably alteration of broeder, brother .
Does bully come from Bull?
It is more likely that there are two distinct words of accidental formal identity: while the earlier bully is perhaps an adaptation of Middle Dutch boele, meaning lover (of either sex), the later bully might simply be derived from the noun bull , uncastrated male bovine animal.
Who said bully?
This term was coined by United States President Theodore Roosevelt, who referred to his office as a “bully pulpit”, by which he meant a terrific platform from which to advocate an agenda. Roosevelt used the word bully as an adjective meaning “superb” or “wonderful”, a more common usage at that time.
Does bully mean good?
(US, slang) Very good; excellent . A bully horse. (slang) Jovial and blustering; dashing.
Why you bully me meaning?
It means “ tell me why you are being unkind to me ”. To bully is to say bad things to another person to make them sad.
What is bully in Tagalog?
Translation for word Bully in Tagalog is : maton .
When did people say bully?
Origin of Bully for You!
In the 1500s and 1600s , the word bully meant an excellent person. Nowadays, bully usually means someone who hurts those weaker than oneself. The original, positive meaning is still preserved in the idiom bully for you.
What did bully mean in 1903?
(“Bully”—one of Roosevelt’s favorite exclamations—means “grand” or “excellent .”)
What’s a bully pit?
The Bullypit is a combination of the American Bulldog and the American Pit Bull Terrier . The result is usually a large dog with short, glossy coat that comes in many colors such as brown, chocolate, black, and white. ... They are friendly for the most part, make good family pets, and fierce guard dogs.
Why does Ron Swanson say bully?
Dictionary; bully can be an informal interjection for “good” or “well done!” . I’m not a big enough of a fan to remember him saying that. But it’s the sort of slightly archaic use of a word that fits in perfectly with the things he says. The overly masculine, harking to an older era type of vocabulary.
What does bully mean in British slang?
Bully means “good” . You would surely have heard “bully for you”, which means “good for you”.
What does Bully for him mean?
old- fashioned . used to show that you do not think what someone has done or said is very exciting or interesting : “He’s started ironing his own shirts.” “Well, bully for him!”
