v. dial. or colloq. Also balrag, balla-, balli-, ballyrag. [Etymology unknown: connection with BULLY sb. or v. is unlikely, as forms with bal-, bally- are widely diffused in the dialects.]
† a. To overawe, intimidate (obs.). b. To assail with abusive language.
1807. Warton, Misc., 128. You vainly thought to ballarag us With your fine squadron off Cape Lagos.
1823. Carlyle, in Froude, Life, I. 203. I bullyrag the sluttish harlots of the place.
1864. Atkinson, Whitby Gloss., To Balrag or Bullyrag, to abuse ferociously with a foul tongue, to bully.
1869. H. Kingsley, Stretton, II. 3. He asked … whether a fellow was to be bullyragged out of his very bed.
1879. Spectator, 14 June, 757. Irish tenantry engaged in what may be called ballyragging their Member.
Hence Bully-ragging vbl. sb.
1863. H. Kingsley, Austin Elliot, I. 225. The pair on ’em should have the bullying and ballyragging of nine thousand a year.
1880. Mrs. Parr, Adam & E., xxi. 292. There’ll be more set to the score o’ my coaxin’ than ever ’all be to Adam’s bully-raggin’.
