- golly
- golly euphemism for God, first recorded 1775, in a source that refers to it as "a sort of jolly kind of oath, or asseveration much in use among our carters, & the lowest people."
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
golly
Look at other dictionaries:
golly — ► EXCLAMATION informal ▪ used to express surprise or delight. ORIGIN euphemism for GOD(Cf. ↑godward) … English terms dictionary
golly — [gäl′ē] interj. used to express surprise, wonder, etc.: orig. a euphemism for God … English World dictionary
golly — [[t]gɒ̱li[/t]] 1) EXCLAM (feelings) Some people say golly to indicate that they are very surprised by something. [INFORMAL, OLD FASHIONED] Golly, he says, Isn t it exciting! 2) EXCLAM (emphasis) Some people say by golly to emphasize that… … English dictionary
golly — I UK [ˈɡɒlɪ] / US [ˈɡɑlɪ] interjection informal old fashioned used for expressing surprise or slight worry • by golly II UK [ˈɡɒlɪ] / US [ˈɡɑlɪ] noun [countable] Word forms golly : singular golly plural gollies informal a golliwog … English dictionary
golly — gol|ly1 [ gali ] interjection INFORMAL OLD FASHIONED used for expressing surprise or slight worry by golly used for emphasizing what you are saying golly gol|ly 2 [ gali ] noun count INFORMAL a GOLLIWOG … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
golly — interjection Etymology: euphemism for God Date: 1775 used as a mild oath or to express surprise; usually used in the phrase by golly … New Collegiate Dictionary
golly — gol|ly1 [ˈgɔli US ˈga:li] interjection spoken old use [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: god] used to express surprise = ↑gosh golly 2 golly2 plural gollies n informal a golliwog … Dictionary of contemporary English
Golly! — int An interjection of emphasis (euphemism for God ). Golly, that was a good breakfast. 1770s … Historical dictionary of American slang
golly — oh, gee, gosh Golly! I ve never seen so much snow … English idioms
golly — I. /ˈgɒli/ (say golee) interjection Colloquial (a mild expletive expressing surprise, etc.) {a euphemistic variant of God!} II. /ˈgɒli/ (say golee) noun → golliwog1. III. /ˈgɒli/ (say golee) …
