nelly

See also: Nelly

English

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /nɛli/
Rhymes: -ɛli

Etymology 1

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

Noun

nelly (uncountable) (not used in the plural)

(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)

(derogatory, slang) An effeminate homosexual man.
(Britain, slang) A silly person.
A giant petrel, Macronectes giganteus and Macronectes halli.

Hyponyms

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

Translations

petrel

German: Riesensturmvogel

Adjective

nelly (comparative nellier, superlative nelliest)

(slang) Unmanly, effeminate.

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