Dictionary

red rag en · NOUN

Etymology

Ellipsis of red rag to a bull.

Meanings

1. (figuratively) Something that will enrage another particular person.
   • Collins dictionaries has announced that the inclusion of 2,000 new words in its forthcoming new edition means that some of the dustier corners of its lexicon will have to be swept into the semantic dustbin. Farewell embranglement, recrement, fusby and numerous others. This will be a red rag to books bloggers everywhere. 2008 September 24, Lindesay Irvine, “Collins, we're lost for words: let's call your bluff”, in guardian.co.uk:
2. (derogatory, obsolete, slang) A person's tongue.
   • For well I know by your glib tongue, / To what fine country you belong, / And if your red rag did not shew it, / By your queer fancies I should know it. 1869, William Combe, Thomas Rolandson, The Three Tours of Doctor Syntax, page 194:

Forms

Relateds

pet peeve

Translations (7)

fr chiffon rouge (something that will enrage another particular person) · fi punainen vaate (something that will enrage another particular person) · pl czerwona płachta (something that will enrage another particular person) · hu vörös posztó (something that will enrage another particular person) · it provocazione (something that will enrage another particular person) · it alquanto provocatorio (something that will enrage another particular person) · de rotes Tuch (something that will enrage another particular person)