FromMiddle Englishjoli,jolif(“merry, cheerful”), fromOld Frenchjoli,jolif(“merry, joyful”).[1] For the loss of final-f in English, comparetardy,hasty,hussy, etc.
It is uncertain whether the Old French word is fromOld Norsejól("a midwinter feast,Yule", hence "fest-ive"),[2] in which case, equivalent toyule +-ive, compareDutchjolig(“happy, festive, frolicsome, jolly”),West Frisianjoelich,joalich(“merry, jolly”),Middle High Germanjœlich(“hooting, jubilant”). Alternatively, the Old French adjective has been conjectured to derive from aVulgar Latin*gaudivus (fromLatingaudeō, more atjoy), in which case it would require Early Old French⟨d⟩/ð/ to irregularly become⟨l⟩ injolif rather than being dropped, which is the usual case (alternatively,/l/ may be a hiatus filler inserted into expected *joïf). A possible parallel of⟨d⟩ to⟨l⟩ can be seen in the French nameValois, according to one hypothesis from LatinVadensis, though this origin is itself uncertain and disputed.
jolly (comparativejollier,superlativejolliest)
- Full ofmerriment and high spirits;jovial; joyous; merry.
- Synonyms:jocund,cheerful
1815,William Wordsworth,Hart-Leap Well, Part Second:"Ajolly place," said he, "in times of old! / But something ails it now: the spot is curst. ..."
1819,Washington Irving, “The Stage Coach”, inThe Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.:[…] he is swelled intojolly dimensions by frequent potations of malt liquors[…]
- (colloquial, dated) Splendid, excellent, pleasant.
- (informal)Drunk.
jolly (pluraljollies)
- (UK, often humorous) Apleasuretrip orexcursion; especially, an expenses-paid or unnecessary one.
2024 June 20, Eva Corlett, “Fidlets, fingies and riding a doo: study sheds light on Antarctic English slang”, inThe Guardian[1]:If you know what it means to be a “fidlet” going for a “jolly” in your “doo”, then you are part of an exclusive club that speaks colloquial Antarctic English.
- (slang, dated) Amarine in theEnglishnavy.
- Synonym:joey
- (slang, archaic) A word ofpraise, orfavorablenotice.
2021, Jenni Spangler,The Incredible Talking Machine:'We just need to chuck him ajolly.'
'I beg your pardon?' said Faber.
'Chuck ajolly... you know! Get people on the street talking about how amazing the show is! Tell them the tickets are sold out for the next two weeks.'
- Ellipsis ofjolly boat.
jolly (comparativemorejolly,superlativemostjolly)
- (British, dated)Very,extremely.
It’sjolly hot in here, isn’t it?
1970,Richard Carpenter,Catweazle, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page127:“Put these on,” said Carrot firmly, anticipating resistance. “What is it?” said Catweazle in horror. “Coms. Combinations. A vest and long pants all in one,” explained Carrot. “They'rejolly warm.”
1991,Stephen Fry, chapter III, inThe Liar, London:William Heinemann,→ISBN,page26:Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo wasjolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’
jolly (third-person singular simple presentjollies,present participlejollying,simple past and past participlejollied)
- (transitive) Toamuse ordivert.
- (transitive, informal, archaic) Topraise ortalk up.
- Synonyms:glaver,lay it on thick,puff;see alsoThesaurus:flatter
1898,Marketing/Communications, volume23, page52:I do not believe in 'jollying' and 'soft soaping' a man when his work is really bad.
terms derived from all parts of speech
- Jolly in the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. 15, p. 495.
Borrowed fromEnglishjolly joker, an older name for thejoker card in a deck of cards.
jolly m (invariable)
- (card games)joker
- wild card
