Etymology. The word “bully” was first used in the 1530s meaning “sweetheart”, applied to either sex, from the Dutch boel “lover, brother” , probably diminutive of Middle High German buole “brother”, of uncertain origin (compare with the German buhle “lover”).
What did bully originally mean?
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.
Does the word 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.
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 .
What did bully mean in Shakespeare?
bully (n.)
through “fine fellow” and “blusterer” to “harasser of the weak” (1680s, from bully-ruffian, 1650s). Perhaps this was by influence of bull (n. ... A whore; and (2) a term of endearment.” Shakespeare has bully-rook “jolly comrade.”
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.
How did bully change meaning?
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 ...
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.
Does bully mean good?
(US, slang) Very good; excellent . A bully horse. (slang) Jovial and blustering; dashing.
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.
What does bully mean in British slang?
Bully means “good” . You would surely have heard “bully for you”, which means “good for you”. – Fattie.
Who said Bully for you?
Like Harding’s “normalcy” and Kennedy’s “vigor,” the phrase with which Roosevelt begins this letter, “Bully for you” will forever be emblematic of his presidency. Typed Letter Signed, as President, 1 page, quarto, The White House, Washington, D.C., September 27, 1907.
What do you mean by Kudos?
1 : praise given for achievement . 2 : fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement : prestige. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About kudos.
Does bully mean lover?
It comes from the Middle Dutch word boele, which means “lover.” At that time, bully was used in English to mean “sweetheart .” Its use then became more general, coming to mean “fine fellow,” and, eventually, the opposite: “swaggering coward.” Bully began to be used in this sense around the 1700s.
What does bully rook mean?
bully rook (n.) Old form(s): Bully-Rooke, Rooke. merry comrade, good mate , old rogue.
What is a tallow catch?
Tallow-catch means“tallow-ketch,” that is, a tallow-tub, or perhaps “tallow-keech” (Steevens’s conjecture),— a round lump of fat rolled up by the butcher to be carried to the chandler . A General Glossary to Shakespeare’s Works.
