Etymology: Origin uncertain.Perhaps compare big adj., although the semantic development poses problems, or bag n. 10, although this is first attested later and there are phonological difficulties. Both semantic and formal considerations make any connection unlikely with Cornish begel navel, knob, Old Breton becel knob, boss (Middle Breton beguel, Breton begel navel), Welsh bogail shield-boss, navel, also of uncertain origin.

Etymology: < big adj.

Etymology: Origin unknown. In Middle English chiefly recorded in north midland and northern sources (although examples from more southerly locations are also found). However, this distribution is not supported by early name evidence (see below), if these names show the same word (which cannot be taken as certain). It seems likely on semantic grounds (as well as on basis of the limited evidence for the chronology of the senses) that sense A. 4 developed from senses A. 1 and A. 2 (compare notes at sense A. 4 and also at sense A. 2b), and also that sense A. 3 developed from sense A. 1 (a mature or full-grown person being regarded as in full strength). Perhaps compare Norwegian regional bugge (noun) a mighty man, bugga (adjective, rare) rich, wealthy, powerful. It is possible that the English word could show a borrowing < early Scandinavian, although the Norwegian forms (if related at all) could simply show the reflex of a parallel formation (without i-mutation) from the same Germanic base. (It has been suggested that the Norwegian words are < the same base as Old Icelandic byggja , byggva big v.¹, which would imply that the English word, if related, was a borrowing < Scandinavian, but this etymology is far from certain and relies on the assumption that a sense ‘settled or established (person)’ gave rise to ‘powerful or important (person)’.) However, if the English word was not in fact originally northern, any connection at all with the Norwegian words would be rendered problematic by its final consonant (since assibilation would be expected in a southern form showing i-mutation). Development of big adj. < big v.¹ within English is perhaps also possible: compare big v.¹ 5. Perhaps compare also bug adj.Apparently attested earlier as a byname and surname, e.g. Ægelric Bicga (also Bigga, Bygga) (a1050), Osbern Bigga (also Bigge) (1087), Walter Bigge (1177), Alan Bigge (1273), etc. However, the early names are from southern counties, especially Kent, a fact which does not accord well with the localization of the bulk of the Middle English contextual examples, and also (as noted above) presents formal difficulties for the assumption of any connection with Norwegian regional bugge, bugga.