Obs. Also 7 bodge, budg. [Etymology unknown: we may perhaps compare BUG a., also BOG a. BOGGISH.
There appears to be a reference to the attrib. use of BUDGE sb.1, as in the first quot. Possibly budge doctor may have originally meant one who wore budge fur.]
1. Solemn in demeanor, important-looking, pompous, stiff, formal.
1634. Milton, Comus, 707. Those budge doctors of the Stoic fur.
1640. Brome, Sparagus Gard., IV. v. I ha no more to zay t’yee, since you be so budge.
1676. Marvell, Gen. Councils, Wks. 1875, IV. 119. And how budge must they look when they returned back to their diocesses.
1686. Oldham, Art Poetry, 66. No tutor, but the Budg Philosophers he knew.
1714. Ellwood, Autobiog. (1765), 60. The Warden was a budge old man; and I looked somewhat big too: having a good gelding under me, and a good riding coat on my back.
1755. Johnson, Budge, surly, stiff, formal.
1781. Cowper, Convers., 299. The solemn fop, significant and budge.
2. dial. Brisk, lively.
1691. Ray, S. & E. C. Wds., 90. Budge, brisk, jocund. You are very Budge. Ibid., N. C. Wds. (E. D. S.), Crowse, brisk, budge, lively, jolly.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
