Looking around the world at the moment this is the word that seems to apply.
This word ‘bellicose’ came into English in the mid-1400s and means ‘inclined to war or fighting; warlike.’
Behind it is a Latin word bellicōsus with exactly the same meaning (behind it are words such as bellator meaning ‘warrior’, bellum ‘war’, and bellatorius ‘aggressive’).
It is certainly the case that Russia is ‘bellicose’ in its treatment of Ukraine, China is ‘bellicose’ in its threats towards Taiwan, and in the Middle East Iran is ‘bellicose’ towards just about everyone.
But the word can be used without actual gunfire.
These days it’s quite often used metaphorically to label an attitude or an action that aggressive in some way.
For example, in the United States when the Trump administration was accused of having the failed the people on cost of living issues (or ‘affordability’ as they always say there) President Donald Trump fired back.
The New York Times ran a headline that said ‘A Bellicose Trump Points Fingers in Defending His Record on the Economy.’
As a result the people at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary report that ‘bellicose’ became a highly looked-up word on their website.
They go on to say that ‘while it can be used figuratively, (it) often describes an attitude that hopes for actual war. The word is generally applied to nations and their leaders. In the 20th century, it was commonly used to describe such figures as Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm, Italy’s Benito Mussolini, and Japan’s General Tojo, leaders who believed their countries had everything to gain by starting wars.’
Does ‘bellicose’ ever apply (figuratively) to Australian politics?
Perhaps it does.
When Tony Abbott took on the failing Rudd-Gillard-Rudd government he was a strikingly effective opposition leader—as he took the battle for ideas right up to them.
And the same could be said for any really effective opposition leader.
While those in government tend to be most ‘bellicose’ when they are being defensive—such as Scott Morrison during major bushfires (‘I don’t hold a hose’) or Anthony Albanese defending his failure to tackle antisemitism.
But it is definitely a word of our time.
TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER SCROLL FURTHER DOWN THIS PAGE >>>>>>
BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
