Influence Others from a 'Bully Pulpit'

Influence Others from a 'Bully¹ Pulpit'

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

　　Today we talk about a way to share ideas, thoughts, and opinions – a bully pulpit. This common two-word noun sounds aggressive. But is it? Let's explore!

　　We'll start with the word "bully."

　　Usually when we use the word "bully," we are talking about a person who is cruel or threatening to others.

　　As a verb, if you bully someone you treat them in a cruel, insulting, or aggressive way. Bullies² usually threaten those who are weaker or smaller than them.

　　Now the word "pulpit." A pulpit is a raised platform used in preaching or conducting a worship service.

　　So, together a bully pulpit sounds like a preacher who is bullying³ others. But that is not what it means.

　　A bully pulpit is a public-facing position – especially a political office. It provides a way to share or spread your ideas widely. If you have a bully pulpit you have a position of influence or power.

　　Experts say that bully pulpit comes from the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. When he was in office, he once said, "I suppose my critics will call that preaching, but I have got such a bully pulpit!"

　　Roosevelt observed that his time in office at the White House was a platform for speaking out for what he believed in. He could influence others. He understood that his presidency⁴ was his bully pulpit.

　　When then President Roosevelt used the term "bully," he meant something excellent or first-rate. This is an older meaning of the word. And these days we often use it an as interjection, saying "Bully for you!" to cheer another's success.

　　Now, let's hear this term used in a short conversation.

　　A: Hey, what are doing this evening? What to grab a bite?

　　B: I wish I could. But I have a board meeting for my swimming pool.

　　A: I thought you quit that board?

　　B: I did. But I have to attend one last meeting to hand off my notes to the new secretary.

　　A: Why are you quitting? I never heard the full story.

　　B: I'm quitting because of the board president. She uses her position as a bully pulpit. Instead of making the pool better, she lectures the rest of us on all kinds of issues.

　　A: It's a swimming pool? What issues come up?

　　B: Oh, you name it! We have to hear her views on everything from recycling to dog parks to the evils of potato chips. Hey, if you have time would like to replace me on the board?

　　A: Yeah ... no thanks.

　　While today, bully pulpit is most often used in the world of politics, we can also use it in other areas. The president of a company can use that position as a bully pulpit -- so can the principal of a school, leaders of media sites, interest groups and more.

　　And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ...

　　Words in This Story

　　preach – v. to deliver a sermon

　　interjection – n. a word or cry expressing sudden or strong feeling

　　conversation – n. oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas

　　board – n. a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory⁵ powers

　　quit – v. to bring to an end

　　lecture – v. to reprove formally

1 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

2 bullies   

n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负

参考例句：

• Standing up to bullies takes plenty of backbone. 勇敢地对付暴徒需有大无畏精神。
• Bullies can make your life hell. 恃强欺弱者能让你的日子像活地狱。

3 bullying   

v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈

参考例句：

• Many cases of bullying go unreported . 很多恐吓案件都没有人告发。
• All cases of bullying will be severely dealt with. 所有以大欺小的情况都将受到严肃处理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

5 advisory   

adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询

参考例句：

• I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
• He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。