In a PM, Doctor Bill -- the good doctor -- reminded me that President Theodore Roosevelt is the likely originator of the expression "bully pulpit."
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990813
President Theodore Roosevelt is the likely originator of the expression "bully pulpit."
Thanks to the ever-astute Dr. Bill through you, Father Steve.
In my own "bully pulpit" thread, I conjectured that "bully pulpit" is a "relative" of "Bully for you!".
My conjecture is consistent with the sense in which Theodore Roosevelt used it, according to the source you and Dr. Bill have referred to us:
The original bully of the phrase was different, however. As Theodore Roosevelt used it--he really does seem to have originated the expression--the bully was the adjectival sense meaning 'fine; excellent'. "I suppose my critics will call that preaching," he said in 1909, "but I have got such a bully pulpit!" Roosevelt, in other words, was saying that he had a great position, not that he had a big stick. But the more common 'quarrelsome, browbeating person' sense has affected most people's interpretation of the phrase.
I am tempted to say "Bully for me!", but that would be indiscreet. :)
President Theodore Roosevelt is the likely originator of the expression "bully pulpit." What is a "bully pulpit", Father Steve? In any case--wasn't Teddy the one who was always saying things were "bully", meaning (I think) wonderful?
You are exactly correct, Jackie. When TR used the expression, he meant that the lectern afforded him by the presidency was a wonderful, delightful, grand, superb, excellent pulpit .. or, as they said in those days, bully.
As Theodore Roosevelt used it ... the bully was the adjectival sense meaning 'fine; excellent'. .... Roosevelt, in other words, was saying that he had a great position
Jackie: wasn't Teddy the one who was always saying things were "bully", meaning (I think) wonderful?
Father Steve: When TR used the expression, he meant that the lectern afforded him by the presidency was a wonderful, delightful, grand, superb, excellent pulpit
Hey, great minds think alike, Jackie and Father Steve.
Bully for us! :)
a wonderful, delightful, grand, superb, excellent pulpit And, if I'm not mistaken, didn't either Tom or Huck describe a certain marble as a "bully taw"?
I always thought it was Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs...
http://www.robert-kruse.com/samudio/pages/lyric-wooly.html<smile>