What is the origin of the phrase Lollygag?
What is the origin of the phrase Lollygag?
You certainly didn’t want to be known as a lollygagger at the beginning of the 20th century. Back then, lollygag was slang for “fooling around” (sexually, that is). That sense of lollygag was in use as long ago as 1868, and it probably originated as an alteration of the older (and more dawdlingly innocent) lallygag.
What does the Lollygagging mean?
Lollygagging, screwing around, goofing off – whatever you call it, we can all agree there a lot of ways to talk about wasting time in English. “Lollygag,” also known historically as “lallygag,” comes into English in the mid-19th century meaning to dawdle.
What’s the difference between lollygagging and dilly dallying?
Lollygagging meant wasting time, lazing around with someone else, when there was work to do or duties to perform. Dilly dallying would indicate a trite waste of time while lolly gagging, a more old fashioned expression, was synonymous with elicit relationships and an inappropriate waste of time.
What is an antonym for Lollygag?
What is the opposite of lollygag?
| move | run |
|---|---|
| scamper | skip |
| step | gallop |
| scurry | shuffle |
| trot |
Is Cattywampus a real word?
Cattywampus is a variant of catawampus, another example of grand 19th century American slang. In addition to “askew” catawampus may refer to “an imaginary fierce wild animal,” or may mean “savage, destructive.”
What is the meaning of the word Lollygag?
Lollygag is originally an Americanism, and today it is generally used to mean to dawdle, move slowly or engage in idle play when something needs to be done. But it has a second meaning, less common but still found today, meaning to flirt, neck, snog, or otherwise engage in lovemaking.
What does it mean when a horse is lollygagging?
‘This meant you could get up and go over to the other side of the room and lollygag around in the line for sharpening pencils.’ ‘A couple of times she told riders that their horses were ‘window shopping’ which meant the horse was lollygagging around the ring, not paying attention.’
When did Lollygag become a problem in the Navy?
Nowadays, lollygag doesn’t usually carry such naughty connotations, but back in 1946, one Navy captain considered lollygagging enough of a problem to issue this stern warning: “Lovemaking and lollygagging are hereby strictly forbidden….
Why did Eliza spend so much time lollygagging?
‘Eliza spends some time lollygagging around but doesn’t seem interested in actually catching a pig.’ ‘His skin was fairer than his sibling’s, which led Blank to believe he spent fewer hours lollygagging outside.’ ‘This meant you could get up and go over to the other side of the room and lollygag around in the line for sharpening pencils.’
What is the origin of the phrase Lollygag? You certainly didn’t want to be known as a lollygagger at the beginning of the 20th century. Back then, lollygag was slang for “fooling around” (sexually, that is). That sense of lollygag was in use as long ago as 1868, and it probably originated as an alteration…