Bitten to buggery?

[smudge]

Has anyone else heard of the saying 'bitten to buggery'?

[smudge]

P.S. If so what does it mean?

[Headtime]

I've used the phrase several times...usually after spending time in the company of bloodthirsty mosquitos and other hungry insects. Don't know where it derives from though - Wait for Quizmonster to arrive.

[Quizmonster]

'To buggery' first started to be used as slang in the 1920s. It was the equivalent of 'to hell' as in "Our platoon was shot to hell, Sir!" All it meant, therefore, was 'badly/completely' etc. The word's actual meaning is, however - as often happens with slang usages - quite different, suggesting a form of supposedly 'unnatural' sexual intercourse. Indeed, 'to+ the f-word' is also often used in precisely the same way.

As Headtime says, it would naturally refer to an unfortunate experience with mosquitoes etc.

[Janetex]

Yes, I've heard it a lot and used it. This expression is often used by one member of the herd, usually flapping and/or stomping, to convince the rest to move indoors.

[archhippy]

we use it alot when our cat has the uasual phrase is bloody hell i've been bitten to bugery again!that bloody animal.or whern mossy's fight back these are most often times when its used

[smudge]

Thank you all for your replies - at least I'm not the only one who uses this phrase! Smudge.