bodge

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1 1.1.1 Verb 1.1.2 Noun 1.1.2.1 Related terms 1.1.2.2 Derived terms 1.2 Etymology 2 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.2 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology 1

The terms "bodge" and "botch" derive from Middle English boccen, which means "to mend".

The terms are sometimes erroneously attributed to the surname of Sir Thomas Bouch, who seriously botched things up when designing the original Tay Bridge. He did not allow for wind load and made numerous other botches as well, leading to the bridge collapse of 28 December 1879 that killed 75 people and brought attention to the similarity of "Bouch" and "botch".

In fact, the words "botch" and "bodge" were in use centuries before Sir Bouch was born; for example, in Macbeth III.i., "...leave no rubs nor botches in the work".

[edit] Verb

to bodge (third-person singular simple present bodges, present participle bodging, simple past and past participle bodged)

1. (British) To do a clumsy or inelegant job, usually as a temporary repair.

   Because of the lack of proper tools he will bodge the repair.

[edit] Noun

bodge (plural bodges)

1. (British) A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair.

[edit] Related terms

• bodger
• botch

[edit] Derived terms

• bodge job

[edit] Etymology 2

Unknown

[edit] Noun

bodge (plural bodges)

1. (historical) The water in which a smithy would quench items heated in a forge.
2. (rare) A sleeping area within a large bush (i.e. boxwood) in front of a Lodge or Fraternity House.
3. (South East England) A four wheeled handcart used for transporting goods. Also a home made go-cart.

[edit] Adjective

bodge (comparative more bodge, superlative most bodge)

1. (slang, Northern Ireland) insane or off the rails