different between bolix vs bollix

English

Verb

bolix (third-person singular simple present bolixes, present participle bolixing, simple past and past participle bolixed)

1. (US) Alternative spelling of bollix

English

Etymology

Alteration of bollocks.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?b?l?ks/, /?b?l?ks/

Verb

bollix (third-person singular simple present bollixes, present participle bollixing, simple past and past participle bollixed)

1. (transitive) To confuse.
2. (transitive) To botch or bungle.

Translations

Noun

bollix

1. confusion
2. mess
3. (Ireland, derogatory) fool, jerk
   • 1995, David A. Wilson, Ireland, a Bicycle and a Tin Whistle, McGill-Queen's Press (?ISBN), page 69:

     He put his arm around me, eyes half-closed from alcohol, and smiled blearily: “You're a bollix.” And then, for emphasis: “You're a right fuckin’ bollix.” I'm not entirely sure, but I'd like to think that this was a friendly greeting; […]

   • 2000, Tim Bradford, Is Shane MacGowan Still Alive?: Travels in Irishry, HarperCollins (?ISBN), page 74:

     Just at this moment a mad, hard-faced pensioner in black zip-up flying jacket, flared jeans and trainers hovers into view, spitting expletives. He sees me watching him and shouts across the cobbled street ‘Ye bollix!’ […] I look up at him and say ‘Sorry?’

Further reading

• “bollix”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.