RDP Tuesday: BULLY

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Ragtag Daily Prompt is Bully.

Not exactly a happy word, but I found many meanings to it here! And some interesting origins I never imagined:

Origins

Mid 16th century probably from Middle Dutch boele ‘lover’. Original use was as a term of endearment applied to either sex; it later became a familiar form of address to a male friend. The current sense dates from the late 17th century.

Late 16th century (originally used of a person, meaning ‘admirable, gallant, jolly’): from bully. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

Late 19th century (originally denoting a scrum in Eton football): of unknown origin.

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