† ˈbull-beggar Obs.
[See prec. As the obvious combination bull + beggar does not appear to yield a suitable sense, it is generally assumed that there must have been some alteration under the influence of ‘popular etymology’, e.g. that it is a (further) alteration of bull-bear; or that the second element has been altered from boggard, buggart ‘bogle’. But evidence is entirely wanting. The word was sometimes (see b.) used with a punning allusion to the Papal bull, and to beggar.]
= prec. Hence ˈbull-begging ppl. a. (nonce-wd.), that operates as a terror.
| 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. vii. xv. 122 They have so fraied us with bull beggers, spirits, witches..that we are afraid of our own Shadowes. 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 73 And beggers will needes be somewaies bulbeggers. 1592 G. Harvey Four Lett., Her redoutable Bull-begging Knight. 1601 Dent Path-w. Heauen 109 A mother, when her child is wayward..scareth it with some pocar, or bull-begger. 1634 J. Taylor (Water P.) Gt. Eater Kent Wks. i. 147/2 The name of Good-friday affrights him like a Bulbegger. 1673 Marvell Reh. transp. II. 250 Private Conscience is..a Bul⁓begger to fright children. 1813 Hobhouse Journ. 32 Looking altogether, as to his garments, like what we call a bull⁓beggar. 1851 S. Judd Margaret v. (1871) 20 The haunt of bulbeggars, witches, spirits. |
| b. a 1625 Boys Wks. (1630) 550 The Popes Bullbegger Cardinall Bellarmeni. 1726 Ayliffe Parerg. 132 These Fulminations from the Vatican..were called Bull-Beggars. |