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What does golly mean in the UK?
mild surprise
golly in British English (ˈɡɒlɪ ) exclamation. an exclamation of mild surprise or wonder. Word origin. C19: originally a euphemism for God.
Are you allowed to say golly?
Some people say golly to indicate that they are very surprised by something. ‘Golly,’ he says, ‘Isn’t it exciting!’ Some people say by golly to emphasize that something did happen or should happen.
What does golly mean in slang?
Definition of golly —used as a mild oath or to express surprise —usually used in the phrase by golly.
What is a golly gee willikers?
Willikers (or many variant spellings such as whillikers, whilikers, willikens, whillikens, whilikens, etc.) is a nonsense interjection with no traceable meaning. I is used after ‘gee’ or ‘golly gee’ to express surpirse or delight.
What does golly mean in Australia?
Noun. golly (plural gollies) (Australian slang, juvenile) Chewing gum. (Australian slang, juvenile) Saliva or phlegm. quotations ▼ hack up a golly.
When did people say golly?
While this folksy trio are informal interjections, they are also euphemistic alterations of the word God or, in the case of gee, Jesus. Of the three, gosh is recorded the earliest, around 1750–60. Golly is dated to around 1840–50. Last but not least is gee, an Americanism tracked back to 1890–95.
Where does golly gee come from?
Where did golly, gosh, and gee come from? While this folksy trio are informal interjections, they are also euphemistic alterations of the word God or, in the case of gee, Jesus. Of the three, gosh is recorded the earliest, around 1750–60. Golly is dated to around 1840–50.
What does Whillikers mean?
[ hwil-i-kerz, wil- ] interjection. Informal. (used as an intensive after gee or golly gee to express astonishment, delight, etc.)
What does Golly by Golly mean?
There was an archaic time long ago, when even saying God’s name outside of church or other prescribed settings, was considered God’s name being taken in vain. Still wanting to cuss, these guys came up with their own stuff. Golly (means God) By Golly, means “By God.”. Gosh ( still means God)
Is it golliwog or Golli?
In the late 1980s, when the anti-Golliwog campaign reached its height, many small manufacturers of the Golliwogs began using the names Golly or Golli, instead of Golliwog. Not surprisingly, the words Golliwog, Golly, and Golli are now all used as racially descriptive terms, although they are not as demeaning as wog.
What is the British language like today?
The British language has many nuances, something Shakespeare made use of back in the day. Today, there may not be as many poets and playwrights playing around with language as there was then (or rather: there are more, they just play with language less as a general rule as plays are no longer written in verse).
What do the Brits call people who put the kettle on?
Whatever the matter, or just to have a natter, the Brits put the kettle on. British Slang & Common Expressions Mate: friend, brother (the equivalent of South Africa’s “bru” and similar to the Americans’ “dude”)