nelly

See also Nelly

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /nɛli/, X-SAMPA: /nEli/
• Rhymes: -ɛli

Etymology 1

Shortened from Nelly Duff, for puff, i.e. breath of life

Noun

nelly (uncountable) (not used in the plural)

1. (Cockney rhyming slang) Life.

Usage notes

• Used principally in the phrase not on your nelly.

Etymology 2

From the woman's name, Nelly

Noun

nelly (plural nellies)

1. (derogatory, slang) An effeminate homosexual man.
2. (UK, slang) A silly person.
3. A common name for the giant petrels, Macronectes giganteus and Macronectes halli

Hyponyms

• (petrel): Antarctic giant petrel, northern piant petrel, southern giant fulmar, southern giant petrel

Translations

petrel

• German: Riesensturmvogel

Adjective

nelly (comparative nellier, superlative nelliest)

1. (slang) Unmanly, effeminate.