DCHP-1 Online

bully (boy) Hist.

• n. in the fur trade, a hired tough whose job it was to intimidate rival traders and to do the fighting for the brigade or post.

  See also: bullyar  

  • 1820  (1938)  St. Picque one of the NW Bullies requested I would sell him a little rum and offered his wearing apparel in payment.
  • 1855  (1956)  . . . here [at Fort William] would the bullies of fighting renown, rendered yet braver by the potent draught, hold their annual exhibitions.
  • 1922  Sir George told me to take a few of our "bullies" with me and give the misbehaving crews a good lesson. . . .
  • 1956  (1957)  At the head of the pedlar line was Bowman's bully boy. . . .