Give a bollocking

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on October 26, 2008 at 07:58

In Reply to: Give a bollocking posted by David Lawless on October 25, 2008 at 15:50:

: "To give a bollocking" - to tell somebody off? Actually heard it is derived from an act of violence! The ballock or bollock dagger (so called because is resembled the said genitalia - google the image)was a common weapon in medieval times, when you stabbed somebody with the knife you "gave them a ballacking/bollocking!". Hope it's true becuase it sounds superb!

Sorry, no chance. The ballock dagger went out of use in the 17th century, and the phrase "give a bollocking" wasn't coined till the early 20th century. Go figure. It just means "an earbashing so severe it's the verbal equivalent of a kick in the ballocks". (VSD)