What is the Origin of the Term "Bloody"?

[john grey]

I was wondering what the origin of the (typically British) term "Bloody" or "Bleeding" & looked in a few resources. I frankly could not find any sources who agreed on where these terms come from. Does anyone know?

[Mark Latimour]

Let me be the first to say I have no bloody idea.

[Selta]

First result on Google...
Bloody - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[john grey]

"The word arose [in] England during Elizabeth I is also supposed to have used it when referring to her elder sister, Mary, due to her persecution of Protestants." (Also see "bloody Mary").

This definition was the only one repeated more than once. The term has been described as a "mild form of expletive", yet during the period of The War of the Roses" I doubt it would be termed "mild".
Wiki could not settle on one origin either; I thought a Literature or Language major may know.

[hrodbert696]

I don't know the answer for sure, but in Shakespeare " 'sblood!" is a pretty common expletive. Short for "His blood!", the "him" in question being Jesus Christ. I would assume it's a short jump from there to making an adjective of it as "bloody." Surprised this isn't mentioned on the Wikipedia page about it. But that's a guess.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

I don't know the answer for sure, but in Shakespeare " 'sblood!" is a pretty common expletive. Short for "His blood!", the "him" in question being Jesus Christ. I would assume it's a short jump from there to making an adjective of it as "bloody." Surprised this isn't mentioned on the Wikipedia page about it. But that's a guess.

Also "God's blood".

[macaroni tony]

A small part of me always assumed it had some connection to the phrase "bloodclot" in the Caribbean. That was...well it was kind of unnerving to find that one out

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

A small part of me always assumed it had some connection to the phrase "bloodclot" in the Caribbean. That was...well it was kind of unnerving to find that one out

I had always heard it as bumboclot, but UrbanDictionary tells me the two are interchangeable.

[bongomania]

Yeah, "bumbo" is a reference to the body area (butt/genitals). "Blood" there is just blood--menstrual specifically. Because the Jamaican term is so literal, I suspect the British "bloody" goes back to the "God's blood" phrase.

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Also "God's blood".

Or God's blood, yes.

[MatticusMania]

So the terms "God's blood", "Jesus's blood" and "His blood" also refer to menstrual blood?

[Strohsx]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

So the terms "God's blood", "Jesus's blood" and "His blood" also refer to menstrual blood?

Interesting comment to read looking at the avatar.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Strohsx

Interesting comment to read looking at the avatar.

Do you like Huey Lewis and The News?

[Strohsx]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Do you like Huey Lewis and The News?

No but how about you Feed me a a stray cat.

Just the term menstrual blood and that picture of Bateman screaming covered in blood go really well together, that's all.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

So the terms "God's blood", "Jesus's blood" and "His blood" also refer to menstrual blood?

I rather doubt it. I would think it refers to the blood Christ shed on the cross. (and the days before the crucifixion)

[Lady Kayri]

I heard years ago that it was short for 'by our Lady' ie St. Mary / the Madonna. Have no idea how correct or incorrect that might be...

[Lady Kayri]

That should be short for 'by our Lady.' Sorry, I'm having problems getting the editing commands to go thru tonight...

[MatticusMania]

I think the term, as it is in popular use now, is derived from a Man shouting at his wife, while PMSing, to "shut your bloody ****" (the seaward). I have often seen those words paired together.

[giacomini]

Since we're talking ancient english expressions, can somebody tell me what in this world means "I should bloody coco"?

[bongomania]

"Coco" is Cockney rhyming slang for "think so", so it's "I should bloody think so!" Meaning "it had better be that way!"