Bodacious, in use from 1837 or earlier, may also be a blend of bold and audacious: a word composited from two synonyms.
It was also the name of a bull famous for head butting rodeo contestants.
Comedic chaos.
Comedic chaos.
Language should be this: like us: it requires play to fully live.
Love it. Especially the bit about the bull. Funny thing to call him. I've heard the word, probably when in North Carolina. I love word origins.
ReplyDeleteHow's this for coincidence I went from your blog to Nancy Mock's Hungry Enough to Eat Six and what does she do, wishes her dad a bodacious birthday. http://hungryenoughtoeatsix.com/2015/04/b-is-for-black-white-sandwiches-from-arrow-book-of-easy-cooking
ReplyDeleteHope he did have just that - no bull! ;-)
DeleteI'd read somewhere, years ago, that it was based on the historical figure of Boudicca. I prefer your playful interpretation.
ReplyDeleteBoudicca is a more impressive historical source though- I want this to be true!
DeleteThere was a guy back in the day who used that word every sixty seconds. We'd laugh as he was a funny guy and that's really all he added to a conversation.
ReplyDeleteThis word is often overused- but mostly with good humour :-)
DeleteWhy does this bring to mind the gnarly, radical Jeff Spicoli? :-)
ReplyDeleteRighteous word! :-)
DeleteI first read the word in the mid-1950s in the Sunday newspaper comics --which is where I learned reading-- in Al Capp's strip "Li'l Abner". Bodacious meant something powerful and pleasant and I have not found it necessary to further define it. I sure appreciate this expanded etymology in your post, though. We are bodacious, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteTo the bone, I say! :-)
DeleteThat's one Bodacious Bull! Just a suggestion, but the comment button on your blog is really hard to see. You may want to change the color so you get more comments! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lauren- valid suggestion! Blog is due some sprucing so that can go on the To Do list :-)
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