Definition of bawl out

The phrase "bawl out" is an English slang term that means to criticize heavily or reprimand severely. The origin of this word can be traced back to the Old English word "bal" which meant "scream" or "shout loudly". This verb was formed by adding the suffix "-l out" which comes from the Old Norse word "ulptra" which means "voice" or "sound". In its earliest recorded usage around the 16th century, "bawl" was used to describe the loud crying of a child or animal. However, by the 19th century, it started to be associated with criticism and scolding. The addition of "out" at the end of the word is believed to have originated from Old Norse and Old Frisian languages, which inflected their nouns and verbs with suffixes that showed their grammatical function. Overall, the word "bawl out" is a vivid and emotive expression that means to criticize or reprimand someone very loudly or forcefully, much like the sound of a child's crying. It speaks to the intensity and vehemence of the criticism, evoking strong images of shouting and amplified sound.