Is 'bowsie' a common word today?

No, it is completely obsolete and would be unrecognizable to most native English speakers.

Can I use 'bowsie' in formal writing?

Absolutely not. Its only appropriate use would be in a historical or linguistic analysis of slang.

What is the origin of 'bowsie'?

It is of uncertain origin but is documented as 19th-century Irish slang, possibly related to 'bousy' meaning drunk.

Does it have any connection to 'bow' (as in ribbon or weapon)?

No established etymological connection. It is a distinct lexical item.

How do you pronounce “bowsie”?

Bowsie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaʊzi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaʊzi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

bowsie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Extremely Rare / Obsolete

UK/ˈbaʊzi/US/ˈbaʊzi/

Archaic, Highly Colloquial, Slang

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “bowsie” mean?

A disreputable, rough, or aggressive person.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A disreputable, rough, or aggressive person; a hooligan or street ruffian.

Informally describes a person of low character or untrustworthy behavior, often associated with drunkenness or petty criminality.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

This term was historically specific to Irish and possibly British English. It is virtually unknown in American English and had no established usage there.

Connotations

Irish working-class slang; implies boorishness, drunken aggression.

Frequency

No contemporary frequency in any variety of English.

Grammar

How to Use “bowsie” in a Sentence

[Subject] is a bowsie.He's acting the bowsie.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

drunken bowsieold bowsiea proper bowsie

medium

acting the bowsielook at that bowsie

weak

bowsie behaviora bowsie from the pub

Examples

Examples of “bowsie” in a Sentence

noun

British English

He was a drunken bowsie causing trouble outside the pub.
Don't mind that old bowsie; he's harmless when sober.

American English

This term is not used in American English.

adverb

British English

Not applicable.

American English

Not applicable.

adjective

British English

(Rarely used adjectivally) He had a bowsie look about him.

American English

Not applicable.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Never used.

Academic

Only in historical/linguistic study of slang.

Everyday

Obsolete. Might be encountered in very old literature or by elderly speakers in Ireland.

Technical

Not applicable.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “bowsie”

Strong

scoundrel blackguard rogue

Neutral

ruffian hooligan lout

Weak

troublemaker ne'er-do-well

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “bowsie”

gentlemanupstanding citizen

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “bowsie”

Attempting to use it in modern conversation.
Spelling it as 'bousy' or 'bousey' (though variations existed).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is completely obsolete and would be unrecognizable to most native English speakers.
: Absolutely not. Its only appropriate use would be in a historical or linguistic analysis of slang.
: It is of uncertain origin but is documented as 19th-century Irish slang, possibly related to 'bousy' meaning drunk.
: No established etymological connection. It is a distinct lexical item.
: A disreputable, rough, or aggressive person.
: Bowsie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaʊzi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaʊzi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“acting the bowsie (behaving like a ruffian)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a BOWser (like the Mario character) being a big, aggressive bully - a 'bowsie'.

Conceptual Metaphor

A DISREPUTABLE PERSON IS A WORTHLESS OBJECT/A DISEASE.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In James Joyce's 'Ulysses', the character of the drunken is a classic literary example of this type.

Multiple Choice

'Bowsie' is best described as: