Here's how it happened:
* Bolshevik: This word is Russian for "majority," referring to the faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that favored a more radical and revolutionary approach.
* Bolshy: This slang term evolved from "Bolshevik" and was used to describe someone who was rebellious, difficult, or prone to complaining.
* Usage: The term "bolshy" was first used in the early 20th century, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution. It became widely used in the UK and other English-speaking countries to describe someone who was "difficult to deal with" or "uncooperative".
So, while the word "bolshy" has evolved to have a slightly broader meaning than just "communist," its origins are firmly rooted in the Bolshevik Revolution and the negative connotations associated with it.