Words that should be reintroduced into common parlance (first in an occasional series)

Bully (synonyms: awesome, sweet, far out, crackerjack, kick-ass, nifty, swell, radical, ace, phat, groovy, wicked)

First of all, let’s tighten the definition a bit. Bully: adjective or exclamation expressing extreme approval.

But what distinguishes “bully” from “cool” or “cute” or “fly”?

Bully has more testosterone, more good ol’ boy spirit, more raw muscle. A good rule of thumb: Bully should only be used with reference to situations, people, or objects about which former president Teddy Roosevelt would express approval (full disclosure: I totally stole this from John Dos Passos. But Dos Passos is dead and therefore wholly unhelpful in reviving obscure adjectives, so I’m picking up where he left off).

Things Teddy Roosevelt would find bully:
Guns
Large dead animals, especially tigers and rhinoceri
Trust-busting
Big sticks
Panama hats
Stuffed bears
Canals
Moustaches

So, one might say, “That’s a bully new gun you’ve got there,” but not, “That’s a bully sewing machine.” (Still up for debate: Roosevelt’s feelings on modern handguns. Can one say, “That’s a bully Glock you just shot that guy with”?)

Other possible uses:
“It was really bully the way the Justice Department took Microsoft down.” (I know, but we’re not concerned with the accuracy of these statements, just whether TR would approve of the sentiment.)

“We’ve done a bully job reducing corruption in Latin America.” (See above.)

“That’s a bully stick there. But why are you whispering?”

Granted, using “bully” takes a bit more effort than just breaking out the standby adjective of your choice (personally, I like “top-notch”). But I think you’ll find the return well worth the investment. “Bully” puts a little more swagger in your step, makes you want to improve Central American infrastructure, take on Tammany Hall, and shoot big game. You may feel the urge to comb your recently more luxuriant moustache.

(Warning: acting on any of the sentiments provoked by the use of the word “bully” may result in mauling, machine politics, and/or yellow fever. It might also lead to a Nobel Peace Prize, but that’s less likely. Use “bully” only where appropriate.)