Definition
Telling other people what to do in a commanding or controlling way, often without being asked or having real authority.
Etymology
From 'boss,' which came from Dutch 'baas' (master), entering English in the 1600s to describe someone in charge, with the -ing suffix making it a present action.
Kelly Says
The word 'boss' traveled from Dutch traders to America and became so common we use it for both real authority figures and people who are just being pushy—language reflects who held power in history.
Translations
BNবাংলা
আদেশ দান
a-desh da-an
CACatalà
imposar
im-po-sar
CSČeština
rozkazovat
roz-ka-zo-vat
DADansk
beordre
be-ord-re
DEDeutsch
beherrschen
be-her-schen
ELΕλληνικά
διοική
di-o-ki
FAفارسی
دستور دادن
das-toor da-dan
FISuomi
käskyttää
kae-sky-ttaa
FRFrançais
s'imposer
se-e-mpo-zer
HEעברית
לתת פקודות
let-det pe-ku-dot
HIहिन्दी
आज्ञा देना
a-jnya de-na
HUMagyar
parancsol
pa-ran-csol
IDBahasa Indonesia
memerintah
me-me-rin-tah
ITItaliano
imporre
im-porre
KMKM
ប្រើប្រាស់
preu-pra-as
MSBahasa Melayu
memerintah
me-me-rin-tah
NLNederlands
beheersen
be-heers-en
NONorsk
beordre
be-ord-re
PLPolski
dyktować
dyk-to-vat'
PTPortuguês
mandar
man-dar
RORomână
a impune
a im-pu-ne
RUРусский
управлять
u-pra-v-lat'
SVSvenska
beordra
be-ord-ra
SWKiswahili
kuamisha
ku-a-mi-sha
TAதமிழ்
ஆட்சி செய்
aatch-chi sei
TEతెలుగు
ఆదేశించండి
a-de-shi-nchan-di
TLTL
magbigay ng utos
ma-gbi-gay ng u-tos
TRTürkçe
empoze etmek
em-po-ze eh-k
UKУкраїнська
керувати
ke-ru-vat'
URاردو
حکم دینا
hukhm de-na
VITiếng Việt
đè ra lệnh
de ra lenh
ZUZU
ukuthula
u-ku-thu-la
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Women in leadership are labeled 'bossy' or 'aggressive' for directive behavior rewarded in men as 'leadership.' The term polices feminine authority.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'directing,' 'leading,' or 'coordinating' for neutral description. Note if critique targets style (all genders) vs. existence of authority (gendered double standard).
Inclusive Alternatives
["directing","leading","coordinating","delegating"]
Empowerment Note
Women's authority should be described with the same neutral language as men's. 'Bossy' is often a gendered penalty for competence.