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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
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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. :)
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Carpal Tunnel
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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?
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Carpal Tunnel
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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.
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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! :)
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Carpal Tunnel
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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"?
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