Adjective / Adverb (Intensifier) | Cheerfulness / Upper-Class Nuance / Polite Emphasis
Encyclopedia of British Slang
JOLLY
Adjective / Adverb (Intensifier) | Neutral to Positive | Cheerfulness / Upper-Class Nuance / Polite Emphasis
JOLLY Pronunciation: /’d??-li/ Part of Speech: Adjective / Adverb (Intensifier) Severity Level: Neutral to Positive Category: Cheerfulness / Upper-Class Nuance / Polite Emphasis
Core Definition
Jolly means:
Cheerful
Pleasant
Good-natured
It also functions as a mild intensifier:
Jolly good. Jolly difficult.
It softens emphasis politely.
Linguistic Origins
From Middle English, linked to Old French joli meaning pretty or agreeable.
Its intensifier usage became especially associated with upper-middle and upper-class British speech in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Usage Contexts
Approval:
Jolly good show.
Polite frustration:
Jolly inconvenient.
Encouragement:
Jolly well done.
It conveys civility.
Emotional Register
Jolly is restrained.
It implies composure.
It avoids extremes.
Tone Variations
Earnest:
Jolly pleased.
Ironic:
Jolly marvellous.
Stiff:
Jolly awkward.
Tone determines sincerity.
Comparison with Related Terms
Very neutral
Bloody stronger
Quite ambiguous
Jolly genteel emphasis
Jolly feels socially coded.
Psychological Function
Jolly masks intensity.
It preserves decorum.
It reinforces class-coded speech patterns.
Cultural Insight
Jolly reflects Britains historical class markers in vocabulary.
It signals upbringing subtly.
Final Assessment
Jolly is:
Cheerful
Genteel
Historically loaded
Mildly formal
It amplifies politely.
Jolly.
EXPANDED ENTRY 138
Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas, the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Dr. Nafzger has entertained and educated young people in Texas colleges for 37 years. Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque. Contact: editor@prat.uk
