We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BULLOX, v. and n. Gen.Sc. [′bʌlɔks, ′bɔlɔks (Lnl.1)]

1. v. To spoil, make a mess of.Slg. 1914 T.S.D.C. I.; w.Dmf. Ib.:
Let me try't, ye've bulloxt it.Ayr.2 1914:
I'll bullox ye up the sheugh.

2. n. A mess. The vulgar use in army slang is probably due to the resemblance in sound to Ballocks, q.v.Lnk.7 1912:
He's made a bullox of it.

[From Bullax, q.v., an axe; cf. bullax-vricht (s.v.), a clumsy carpenter.]

4935

snd