Yes, bullying can show up in your book and perhaps some of the tips below will help characterize those involved as bullies.

Please read to the bottom for the most important message of the day.

bullying | adj.

  1. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing
    person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.

BULLYING | ADJ.

  1. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing
    person who habitually badgers and
    intimidates smaller or weaker people.
  2. Archaic. a man hired to do violence.
  3. Obsolete. a pimp; procurer.
  4. Obsolete. good friend; good fellow.
  5. Obsolete. sweetheart; darling.

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Our society and media is full of discussion surrounding the bullying crisis today.  There are organizations fighting against the bully, the overbearing, larger child who attacks a smaller, quieter, perhaps more studious child, or one who is not athletic. It seems to happen for a variety of reasons.

We have heard and/or read stories of young people who have committed suicide as a result of bullying.  Only one word characterizes this behavior: tragic.

I have included the archaic and obsolete definitions of “bully” here because I found them interesting.  It is hard to believe that at some point in the history of language “bully” meant “sweetheart.”

I doubt any of us would have a difficult time characterizing someone bullying another in our writing.  Likely the caricature here sums up what a bully is in our mental database.

Today instead of a writing prompt or exercise let’s all agree to do our best to defeat bullying in our schools, churches, neighborhoods, wherever you see it happening.  No one wants to be pushed around or made fun of, and let’s do what we can to stop it.

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Click on images for attribution.