Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BULLIRAG, n. “A dispute with words — ‘words that often come to blows'” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 100). Not known to our correspondents.
Hence bulliraggle, “a quarrel in which opprobrious epithets are bandied” (Upper Clydesd. 1825 Jam.2).
[Cf. Eng. slang bullyrag, to abuse, revile, and Eng. dial. bullirag, one who bullies or teases (E.D.D.). The form bulliraggle is a frequentative.]
