Bulldozer

Posted by ESC on May 01, 2004

In Reply to: Bulldozer posted by Bruce Kahl on April 30, 2004

: "A heavy, driver-operated machine for clearing and grading land, usually having continuous treads and a broad hydraulic blade in front. 2. An overbearing person; a bully"

: OK...but does anyone know the history of this word?
: Is/was this a brand name?
: German? Slavic? Norse?

Here's one theory:

BULLDOZE - verb. 1876. "American English, to intimidate by violence; of uncertain origin. The word 'bulldozer,' meaning one who intimidates by violence, appeared also in 1876, a machine for clearing or leveling in 1930. The etymology usually suggested is a compound of 'bull' (the animal) and an altered form of 'dose,' i.e., a whipping to coerce voters was a dose suitable for a bull. The reference is a supposed practice during the Tilden campaign, especially among Blacks in the South." From The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology by Robert K. Barnhart (HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1995).

: Doze is to sleep/nap.
: Anybody?

• Bulldozer ESC 01/May/04
  • Bulldozer Brian from Shawnee 01/May/04
    • Bulldozer ESC 01/May/04
      • Bulldozer Smokey Stover 01/May/04
        • Thank You Bruce Kahl 01/May/04
          • You're welcome ESC 01/May/04
            • You're welcome al 01/May/04