Donald Trump’s use of the word “bigly” became a viral talking point during the 2016 U.S. presidential debates.  Even Archie Bunker constantly misstated the meaning of words.

I now even use 'bigly' as a fun term in conversations. 

Here’s the breakdown:

1.  What People Heard

In the first debate, Trump said something that sounded like:
“I’m going to cut taxes bigly, and you’re going to raise taxes bigly.”
Many assumed he invented the word, sparking memes and jokes.

2.  What He Meant

Most linguists and media outlets concluded Trump intended to say “big league” (meaning “in a major way”), but his New York accent and rapid speech made it sound like “bigly.” Trump later confirmed he meant “big league.”

3.  Is “Bigly” a Real Word?

Surprisingly, yes.  Bigly is an archaic English adverb dating back to the 1400s.  It means:

• “in a big manner” or “with great force”
• Later, it also meant “boastfully or proudly.”
  It appeared in works such as Le Morte d’Arthur (1485) and Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd (1874).  The word fell out of everyday use about 120 years ago.

4.  Cultural Impact

Despite Trump’s likely unintended use of “bigly,” the resulting misunderstanding has become a cultural phenomenon.  It’s now a humorous shorthand for his unique speech style, often seen in headlines and on social media.