bully English · revision 101

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbʊli/ ''(Received Pronunciation, US, Australia)''^(Wiktionary)

+ * Respelling: ''bo͝olˈē''^(AHD)^(RHWU); also ''ˈbə-lē''^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ First recorded in 1538 as a term of endearment,^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989) of uncertain origin;^(Etymonline) probably [[bor|dum|boele|t=lover]],^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) perhaps an alteration of ''broeder'' “brother”.^(AHD)^(Etymonline) Compare Middle High German ''buole'' “lover”.^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Sweetheart, darling”, a term of endearment applied to either sex.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 17th century the meaning deteriorated through “fine fellow” and “blusterer” to “harasser of the weak” (1680s).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The change may have been influenced by [[bull]], or may have passed through the sense “protector of a prostitute”, though that is not recorded until 1706.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “Sweetheart” words often decline in this way.^(Etymonline) The adjective “worthy, admirable” keeps the earlier positive sense,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and survives in ''bully for you!'' (from 1864)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and ''bully pulpit'' (1909).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1538 – “sweetheart, darling”.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1609 – adjective “excellent, first-rate”.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1680s – “blustering gallant”, then “tyrannical harasser of the weak”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1706 – “protector of a prostitute”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1710 – verb, “to treat in an overbearing manner”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – ''Bully for you!'', “bravo!”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1909 – ''bully pulpit''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who habitually intimidates or is cruel to those smaller or weaker.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A hired ruffian.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To intimidate or treat abusively.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To force one's way aggressively.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(informal)'' Excellent, first-rate.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Well done!; often sarcastic in modern use.^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bullying]]^(Etymonline)

+ * [[bully-boy]], [[bully pulpit]]^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+ * [[cyberbully]]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bully beef]], an unrelated word, probably from French ''bouilli'' “boiled (beef)”^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}