Feel the Boost: Bully for You/Him/Her/Them!
“Bully for you/him/her/them” is like saying, “Bravo!” or “Kudos!” It’s a hearty cheer from the linguistic past that might make you feel like you’re receiving congratulations from a Dickensian character. 🕵️ Anytime you hear this phrase, imagine someone in a top hat enthusiastically clapping for you.
It originally meant “fine” or “excellent,” not the “schoolyard tyrant” we think of today. Popularized in Britain, it crossed the pond to the U.S. during the Civil War.
✨ Witty Truth: Though “bully” might give you flashbacks to playground conflicts, in this context, it’s less about giving a wedgie and more about giving a high-five across time.
Friends in Praise: Synonyms
- Bravo
- Hurray 🚀
- Good for you
- Kudos 🌟
- Well done
- Hats off 🎩
- Attaboy/girl
The Tough Crowd: Antonyms
- Too bad
- Alas
- Oh dear 😟
- That’s unfortunate
📚In Literature: Find this phrase charmingly embedded in Tristan Jones’ “Ice” (1977), showcasing its historical usage even as it begins its slow fade from everyday dialogue: “Bully for him. Was there free booze?”
Quotes to Chew On:
- “Bully for you, old chap! Fine show out there.” - Imaginary Victorian Cheerleader
- “To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.” - Bruce Lee (a modern “bully for you” but with karate kicks)
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Films:
- “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde — Overflowing with archaic yet delightful phrases.
- “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens — Victorian vibes galore.
- “H.M.S. Pinafore” by Gilbert and Sullivan — Full of period-specific expressions that’ll give you all the “bully for you” feels.
Keep this phrase in your pocket and be the linguistically quirky friend who lives cheerfully in the past.
Inspirational Farewell:
“Remember, in a world that’s rushing forward, sometimes it’s the words from history that give us that essential pat on the back. Bully for you, for using them with glee!”
Published by: Historical Hilarity Publications
