GOLLY Meaning and
Definition
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Golly is an interjection used to express surprise, excitement, or astonishment. This expression is most commonly used in informal or colloquial conversation. It is a mild exclamation that is meant to convey a sense of awe, often in a positive or admiring way.
When someone exclaims "golly," they are indicating that they are both startled and impressed by something they have seen or heard. It is similar in usage to expressions such as "wow" or "oh my."
The term "golly" is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is often associated with traditional American expressions.
Despite its long history, "golly" is not as commonly used in contemporary conversations as it once was. It is considered somewhat old-fashioned or quaint, and its usage has diminished over time.
In popular culture, the term "golly" has become somewhat associated with an innocent or wholesome expression of surprise, often used by characters in classic books or films. This adds a nostalgic or vintage element to its usage today.
Top Common Misspellings for GOLLY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GOLLY
Etymology of GOLLY
The word "golly" is a minced oath or euphemism used as an alternative to express surprise, amazement, or excitement. While its exact etymology is difficult to trace due to its informal nature, it is believed to have emerged in the mid-19th century in the United States.
Some linguists suggest that "golly" might be a derivative of the word "God" or "gad", which were sometimes used as mild oaths during that period. By altering the pronunciation and potentially avoiding blasphemy, "golly" could have been created as a more acceptable alternative. However, this is only speculation, and the precise origins of "golly" remain unclear.
Idioms with the word GOLLY
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by guess and by golly
The idiom "by guess and by golly" is used to describe a situation in which actions or decisions are made without careful planning or consideration. It suggests a reliance on intuition, guesswork, or trial and error rather than following a structured or well-thought-out approach.
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by guess or by golly
The idiom "by guess or by golly" is used to describe a situation or approach where someone relies on sheer guesswork or trial-and-error methods rather than using a calculated or well-thought-out strategy. It implies that the person is taking a bold and haphazard approach to achieve something without a clear plan or certainty of success.
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Good golly. Miss Molly!
This expression is used to convey surprise, excitement, or disbelief. It is often used in a light-hearted and enthusiastic manner.
Similar spelling words for GOLLY
- gill,
- gaily,
- holly,
- golla,
- galley,
- Goel,
- goalie,
- goal,
- Goll,
- gull,
- gully,
- golay,
- jelly,
- folly,
- Goley,
- jolly.
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