ballyrag

English edit

Alternative forms edit

bullyrag

Verb edit

ballyrag (third-person singular simple present ballyrags, present participle ballyragging, simple past and past participle ballyragged)

(transitive) To harass, badger, taunt, or abuse verbally.
- 1904, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, chapter 29, in The House by the Church Yard:
  . . . the Duchess of Belmont, that ballyrags every one round her, like a tipsy old soldier.
- 1921, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 16, in Three Men and a Maid:
  "I remember you as a boy, Samuel," said Mrs. Hignett, "lamentably lacking in consideration for others and concentrated only on your selfish pleasures. . . ."
  "Don't ballyrag the poor man," said Jane Hubbard.

References edit

“ballyrag”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.