ballyrag

present singular third person ballyrags · participle present ballyragging · participle past ballyragged · past ballyragged · alternative bullyrag

1. transitiveTo harass, badger, taunt, or abuse verbally.

   . . . the Duchess of Belmont, that ballyrags every one round her, like a tipsy old soldier.

   1904, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, chapter 29, in The House by the Church Yard

   1 more example

   "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.

   1921, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 16, in Three Men and a Maid