[f. BULLY sb.1]
I. [Orig. BULLY sb.1 I., used attrib.; cf. brother.]
1. Of persons: Worthy, ‘jolly,’ admirable.
1681. Chetham, Angler’s Vade-m. (1689), Pref. From such Bully fishers, this Book expects no other reception.
1852. Hood, Lamia, v. 231. Here, bully mates, These, lady, are my friends.
2. U.S. and Colonies. Capital, first-rate, ‘crack.’
1855. Wm. Carleton, Willy Reilly, v. The cook will give you a bully dinner.
a. 1860. Cairo City Times (Bartlett). The bully ‘Crystal Palace’ passed up to St. Louis on Monday.
1865. Daily Tel., 20 July, 5/5. The quieter citizens of New York, who were aware that the celebration would be more ‘bully’ than usual, left the place by thousands the day before.
1870. Meade, New Zeal., 331. The roof fell in, there was a ‘bully’ blaze.
1875. N. Amer. Rev., CXX. 128. ‘That’s bully!’ exclaimed Tweed.
b. as an exclamation, esp. in phrase ‘Bully for you!’ = bravo! well done!
1864. H. J. Eddy, in Sanatory Commiss. U. S. Army, 133, note. Others would say ‘good,’ and others would use the very expressive phrase ‘bully!’
1864. Daily Tel., 18 Nov., 5/3. The freckles have vanished, and bully for you.
1883. Punch, 28 July. Lady Dufferin—bully for her, mate!
II. 3. Resembling a bully or ruffian; characteristic of a bully.
1727. Swift, City Shower, Wks. 1755, III. II. 40. Those bully Greeks, who, as the moderns do, Instead of paying chairmen, run them through.
1749. (title) Considerations on the Establishment of the French Strolers; the Behaviour of their Bully Champions.
1885. G. Meredith, Diana Crossw., I. iv. 94. A bully imposition of sheer physical ascendancy.
