![]() |
She's not a soldier, she's not Indian, but she's definitely doolally (photo by Holly Clark) |
DOOLALLY
Adjective. Slang (originally military). Early 20th century.
[Deolali, a town near Bombay.]
Originally (now less usual) doolally tap [Urdu from Persian tap fever].
Temporarily insane; deranged; feeble-minded, simple, foolish.
For those unfamiliar with this rather delightful Britishism, doolally means a bit nuts, crazy, bonkers, and so forth, and is accompanied by a fittingly loopy etymology. Deolali is a town near Bombay, India, and it was a staging point for British colonial troops arriving to and leaving from the continent. As well as the military post, Deolali also housed a sanatorium, and it is said that soldiers barracked there (and particularly those who were waiting to absquatulate back to Blighty) would go a bit doolally tap - that is, a bit nuts.
You don't really hear doolally tap anymore, but to say that someone has gone a bit doolally is still well understood throughout Britain. I never found out if Mum did make her little bêtise, but considering that she was a bit doolally herself, I rather think (and hope) that she did.
Do please billet your loopiest comments in the barrack-box below.
I always thought doolally was an Irish expression and 'doolally tap' an Irish dance. But then people often tap their head to indictate that someone is doolally.
ReplyDeleteTaking the Michael out of your Mum is a risky exercise.
A few people have messaged me saying that they thought 'doolally' was an Irish word - it certainly does sound Irish. And another person on Twitter said that The Doolally Tap would be a great name for a pub, and I rather agree.
DeleteYou actually explained this terrifically!
ReplyDeleteTry to check my webpage :: 안마
I am typically to blogging i really appreciate your articles. This article has really peaks my interest. Let me bookmark your web blog and maintain checking for brand spanking new data. Latest Indian Army News Online
ReplyDeleteYou delivered such an impressive piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain information. Thanks for sharing such information with us due to which my several concepts have been cleared. 먹튀검증사이트
ReplyDelete