(derogatory, Britain, dated) A government leftist, especially a communist, socialist, or labour union leader.
(derogatory, Britain, dated) A government leftist, especially a communist, socialist, or labour union leader.
"bolshie" means: A government leftist, especially a communist, socialist, or labour union leader.. This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.
"bolshie" means: A government leftist, especially a communist, socialist, or labour union leader.. This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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(UK) The state of being bolshie.
The quality of being bolshie — that is, stubbornly uncooperative, mouthy, and difficult to deal with. Bolshiness describes the sort of attitude that makes a person push back on every instruction, argue for argument's sake, and generally refuse to play ball. Common in British workplaces, schools, and family dinner tables. It has an affectionate edge when used about someone whose defiance is at least a little admirable.
(slang, pejorative) A male socialist, especially one with masculinist views.
(slang, pejorative) A male socialist, leftist or progressive accused of downplaying women's issues, or displaying an alleged misogynistic or macho attitude.
"bolshie" means: A government leftist, especially a communist, socialist, or labour union leader.. Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. Note the regional or dialect label (dated) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable
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(UK) Difficult or rebellious.
Kate, don't be so bolshie!
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