adjective General Slang

Dolly

/ˈdɒli/ · adjective · slang

Polari for pretty, nice or sweet — as in 'your dolly old eek'.

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Definitions

1

As a term of endearment, 'dolly' could stand alone for a sweet or good-looking person.

“Come here, you dolly thing.”
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2

In Polari, pretty, attractive, nice or pleasant. Probably from the English pet-name 'dolly' (a sweetheart or doll), pre-dating the 1960s 'dolly bird'.

“Bona to vada your dolly old eek.”
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3

Used warmly of people, clothes or situations to mean charming or lovely.

“What a dolly little lattie you've got, dear.”
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Dolly In A Sentence

She wore a dolly frock and a riah to die for.
He's a dolly omi, kind as well as handsome.
Everything about the evening was dolly — bevvies, music and good company.

Origin & Usage

Polari of mid-20th-century Britain; 'dolly' meaning pretty draws on the English affectionate 'dolly' (sweetheart/doll) and is listed among core Polari adjectives by Paul Baker.

Variants dolley
Tags #polari#lgbtq#british#heritage#vintage#lexicon

People Also Ask

What does dolly mean in Polari?

It means pretty, nice or charming, as in 'your dolly old eek'.

Is Polari 'dolly' the same as 'dolly bird'?

They share the 'dolly' = attractive idea, but Polari's use pre-dates the 1960s 'dolly bird' slang.

How was dolly used?

To describe anything lovely — a person, an outfit, a home — often affectionately.

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