Bulldog

[JPablo]

Random House defines "bulldog" as follows,
8. Western U.S. to throw (a calf, steer, etc.) to the ground by seizing the horns and twisting the head.
[1490–1500; BULL1 + DOG]

Anyone have a clue on how this meaning of the word came about?

Any good idea to translate it into Spanish?

Here is some context,

... it is used somewhat on the order that you bulldog a calf or rope a steer or something of the sort. It’s to grab hold of something and hold it and pull it in.

... se usa de alguna forma como para derribar a un ternero o atar a un novillo, o algo por el estilo. Es para agarrar algo y mantenerlo y tirar de ello adentro.

I take my translation is acceptable, but any better ideas are welcome!

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Random House defines "bulldog" as follows,
8. Western U.S. to throw (a calf, steer, etc.) to the ground by seizing the horns and twisting the head.
[1490–1500; BULL1 + DOG]

Anyone have a clue on how this meaning of the word came about?
....

I presume that "dog" comes from the verb "to dog", which has a couple of meanings today: 1. to chase/pursue relentlessly, and 2. to hold or fasten with a mechanical device. As Random House asserts that bulldog dates from the 1490's, I would not be surprised to learn that "dog" may have meant "to forcibly restrain" during that time...

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by wrholt

I presume that "dog" comes from the verb "to dog", which has a couple of meanings today: 1. to chase/pursue relentlessly, and 2. to hold or fasten with a mechanical device. As Random House asserts that bulldog dates from the 1490's, I would not be surprised to learn that "dog" may have meant "to forcibly restrain" during that time...

My guess is that the use as a verb is much later than that. The word "bulldog" is first attested around 1500, but only as a noun, a dog bred for bull-baiting or possibly a dog with a bull-shaped head. This kind of dog has the ability to bite something and not let go. It has been made into an adjective recently with the "bulldog clip" a very strong springed device to hold paper together, but the Oxford dictionary doesn't mention it as a verb.

Now the word 'dog' was first a noun, and the verb 'to dog' attested in 1519, meaning 'to follow like a dog'. My guess is that 'to bulldog' was invented much later than that (when were the first Western ranches?) from 'behaving like a bulldog'.

[JPablo]

Thank you to both of you... Probably I could have arrived to similar conclusions and/or guesses... but it would had taken me waaaaay longer.

[Luna Azul]

bull·dog
n.
4. Chiefly British - A proctor's assistant at Oxford University or Cambridge University.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

Is this true?

It can only compare with the Tower of London "beefeaters".. ha ha

(For what it's worth )

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Luna Azul

bull·dog
n.
4. Chiefly British - A proctor's assistant at Oxford University or Cambridge University.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

Is this true?

Yes, I can assure you it is perfectly true. They are the ones catching students climbing over walls in the middle of the night. Trust me, I know.

[Luna Azul]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Yes, I can assure you it is perfectly true. They are the ones catching students climbing over walls in the middle of the night. Trust me, I know.

I can tell you are a very experienced guy..