ballyrag

English

Alternative forms

• bullyrag

Verb

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

1. (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

• “ballyrag”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.