nelly

1 of 2

noun

nel·​ly
ˈnelē
plural -es
1
2
3
or nellie slang, disparaging : an effeminate homosexual

nelly

2 of 2

adjective

variants or nellie
"
slang, disparaging
: conspicuously effeminate
Phrases
not on your nelly
sometimes capitalized second N [perhaps from the phrase not on your Nelly Duff, rhyming slang for British slang puff breath, life] British slang : certainly not

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

perhaps from Nelly, nickname for Helen

First Known Use

Noun

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nelly was in 1823

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Dictionary Entries Near nelly

Cite this Entry

“Nelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nelly. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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