bugger

¹ American  

[buhg-er, boog-] / ˈbʌg ər, ˈbʊg- /

noun

1. Informal. a fellow or lad (used affectionately or abusively).

   a cute little bugger.

2. Informal. any object or thing.

3. Often Vulgar. a sodomite.

4. Chiefly British Slang.

   1. a despicable or contemptible person, especially a man.

   2. an annoying or troublesome thing, situation, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. Often Vulgar. to sodomize.

2. Slang. damn.

   Bugger the cost—I want the best.

3. Chiefly British Slang. to trick, deceive, or take advantage of.

verb phrase

1. bugger off to depart; bug off.

2. bugger up to ruin; spoil; botch.

bugger ² American  

[buhg-er] / ˈbʌg ər /

1. a person who installs a hidden listening device.

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bugger British  

/ ˈbʌɡə /

noun

1. a person who practises buggery

2. slang a person or thing considered to be contemptible, unpleasant, or difficult

3. slang a humorous or affectionate term for a man or child

   a silly old bugger

   a friendly little bugger

4. slang nothing

5. slang to fool around and waste time

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verb

1. to practise buggery (with)

2. slang (tr) to ruin, complicate, or frustrate

3. slang to tire; weary

   he was absolutely buggered

interjection

1. slang an exclamation of annoyance or disappointment

Usage

More context on bugger Bugger seems like a completely harmless word, right? Wrong.While often used informally as an insult (like "jerk") or to refer to any ole whachamacallit, bugger has also been used as a more offensive vulgar term for "sodomy."Bugger ultimately originates from the Medieval Latin Bulgarus, literally "Bulgarian." During the Middle Ages, the Balkans (the peninsula where Bulgaria is located) were linked to heretical sects, such as a group known as the Bogomils, who were said to engage in deviant sexual practices.We can see that the history of bugger has both historical layers of xenophobia and homophobia. Keep context in mind when using this word or else someone might tell you to bugger off.If knowing the history of bugger has got you reflecting on your word choices, this slideshow, "These Common Words Have Offensive Histories," discusses many other words whose place in your vocab you may want to reconsider. 

Etymology

Origin of bugger¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bougre, from Anglo-French bugre, from Medieval Latin Bulgarus “heretic,” literally, “Bulgarian,” by association of the Balkans with heretical sects such as the Bogomils ( def. ) and their alleged deviant sexual practices; bugger ¹ def. 1 perhaps by reanalysis as bug ¹ or bug ² + -er ¹ ( booger )

Origin of bugger²

First recorded in 1965–70; bug ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“By the time we got back to the lab, the little bugger had crawled out of the dish,” he recalls with some chagrin.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2024

But she also calls out her fans' involvement in her personal life, and she basically tells them to bugger off.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2023

New court documents allege Kristian White said "bugger it" before firing as she slowly advanced using a walker.

From BBC • Jul. 20, 2023

"We didn't get our steak for dinner, which was a bugger," Chapman said.

From Reuters • Jun. 6, 2023

“I wouldn’t trust that silly bugger to know if it’s raining now.”

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs