To annoy, worry, or cause difficulty for someone; or to take the trouble to do something.
Probably from 18th-century Irish English, related to Irish words like “bodhar” meaning “deaf” or “annoyed.” It spread quickly in spoken English because it filled a common everyday need.
“Bother” is a soft word that covers tiny annoyances all the way to real worries, which makes it incredibly useful. It’s vague on purpose, letting you signal ‘something’s wrong’ without saying exactly how bad it is.
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