Meanings
Darwin's Bulldog1
alternative Darwin's bulldog
- Nickname for Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–1895), British biologist and comparative anatomist
1 more example
He said afterwards, “you know I have to take care of him, in fact I have always been Darwin's bulldog,” and this exactly expressed one of the many relations which existed so long between the two men. Huxley was not always fortunate in the intellectual calibre of the men to whom he lectured in the Royal School of Mines.
1896, Henry F. Osborn, “Memorial tribute to Professor Thomas H. Huxley”, in Transactions of the New York Academy of Sciences, volume XV, New York, pages 46–47
Darwin's bulldog2
- Alternative letter-case form of Darwin's Bulldog
Origin
From a comparison the English biologist Huxley made between himself and the bulldog, since they are both ferocious fighters (the bulldog fights with spirit to win fights, and Huxley fought with spirit in defense of evolution). Also, a pun on actual animals named after Darwin (Darwin's finch, Darwin's frog, etc.).
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Darwin's Bulldog. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Darwin's%20Bulldog
“Darwin's Bulldog.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Darwin's%20Bulldog. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Darwin's Bulldog,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Darwin's%20Bulldog.
Source: Darwin's Bulldog on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.