Obs. [See prec. As the obvious combination bull + beggar does not appear to yield a suitable sense, it is generally assumed that there must have been some alteration under the influence of ‘popular etymology,’ e.g., that it is a (further) alteration of bull-bear; or that the second element has been altered from boggard, buggart ‘bogle.’ But evidence is entirely wanting. The word was sometimes (see b.) used with a punning allusion to the Papal BULL, and to BEGGAR.] = prec. Hence Bull-begging ppl. a. (nonce-wd.), that operates as a terror.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., VII. xv. 122. They have so fraied us with bull beggers, spirits, witches … that we are afraid of our own Shadowes.
1588. J. Harvey, Disc. Probl., 73. And beggers will needes be somewaies bulbeggers.
1592. G. Harvey, Four Lett. Her redoutable Bull-begging Knight.
1601. Dent, Path-w. Heauen, 109. A mother, when her child is wayward … scareth it with some pocar, or bull-begger.
1634. J. Taylor (Water P.), Gt. Eater Kent, Wks. I. 147/2. The name of Good-friday affrights him like a Bulbegger.
1673. Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 250. Private Conscience is … a Bulbegger to fright children.
1813. Hobhouse, Journ., 32. Looking altogether, as to his garments, like what we call a bullbeggar.
1851. S. Judd, Margaret, v. (1871), 20. The haunt of bulbeggars, witches, spirits.
b. a. 1625. Boys, Wks. (1630), 550. The Popes Bullbegger Cardinall Bellarmeni.
1726. Ayliffe, Parerg., 132. These Fulminations from the Vatican … were called Bull-Beggars.
