Stupid American question

[John Beaman]

Today, the adjective "bloody" is in common use in England, but I understand it originated in Australia. Is that correct?

THKs

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by John Beaman

Today, the adjective "bloody" is in common use in England, but I understand it originated in Australia. Is that correct?

THKs

Shouldn't think so. I was told at school (not always a reliable source) that it was a contraction of "By Our Lady", from when England was Catholic (i.e. before about the mid-16th century). Australia has given the world a whole range of colourful expressions, however.

[MW Giles]

See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody

MG

[BruceMk11]

Originated with the bloody Poms, not the bloody Aussies.

Hooroo,

Bruce

[John Beaman]

Thanks, gentleman.

Origins seem bloody confusing!

[Bruce Dennis]

Hello John,
I was told (with absolute conviction) by a clergyman when I first moved to England that it was a corruption of 'Blood of Christ' and hence blasphemous: he was most indignant with the suggestion that it might mean anything else.

Who am I to argue? Another bloody foreigner!

Bruce

[Chris Goss]

I was told at school it derived from the Saxon blodig

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

I was told at school it derived from the Saxon blodig

It's time that schools got their story straight!