bullgine
Obsolete American slang for a steam locomotive, particularly used by sailors who applied the term to the loud, powerful machines they encountered on land.
Definitions
Obsolete American slang for a steam locomotive, particularly used by sailors who applied the term to the loud, powerful machines they encountered on land. The word suggests the bull-like strength and noise of the engine. Largely disappeared from use as steam locomotives themselves became obsolete.
The sailors who came ashore called the locomotive a bullgine and watched it pull out of the station with obvious awe.
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(US, slang, obsolete) A steam locomotive.
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