Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Used as a disparaging term for an effeminate gay man.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun derogatory, slang An
effeminate homosexual man. - noun UK, slang A silly person.
- noun A common name for the giant
petrels ,Macronectes giganteus andMacronectes halli - adjective slang
Unmanly ,effeminate . - noun Cockney rhyming slang
Life .
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Tom, delightful review and I wondered, I really did, if it would be too "nelly" for the intended image.
Etat Libre d'Orange Tom of Finland Marina Geigert 2008
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"It's the closest part he's ever played to his real self, but the fact that he played it kind of nelly was a big risk."
A Pirate's Life 2007
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I sometimes wonder if this need to make gays so "nelly" is merely the obvious reaction to Spanish macho culture: If you cannot be macho, then you'd better be a queen.
GreenCine Daily 2009
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I sometimes wonder if this need to make gays so "nelly" is merely the obvious reaction to Spanish macho culture: If you cannot be macho, then you'd better be a queen.
GreenCine Daily 2009
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I sometimes wonder if this need to make gays so "nelly" is merely the obvious reaction to Spanish macho culture: If you cannot be macho, then you'd better be a queen.
GreenCine Daily 2009
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Finally, sensitive always that some nervous nelly might be reading his piece, he reassures readers that "I also suspect the fallout would be far less damaging and more ephemeral than many might suggest."
Barry Eisler: The Definition of Insanity Barry Eisler 2010
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Finally, sensitive always that some nervous nelly might be reading his piece, he reassures readers that "I also suspect the fallout would be far less damaging and more ephemeral than many might suggest."
Barry Eisler: The Definition of Insanity Barry Eisler 2010
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Just far enough to feel like I'm a part of his first day but not so far that I'm an over bearing, nervous nelly mom.
Jennifer Cullen: Can I Go to High School With My Kid? Jennifer Cullen 2011
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Finally, sensitive always that some nervous nelly might be reading his piece, he reassures readers that "I also suspect the fallout would be far less damaging and more ephemeral than many might suggest."
Barry Eisler: The Definition of Insanity Barry Eisler 2010
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Finally, sensitive always that some nervous nelly might be reading his piece, he reassures readers that "I also suspect the fallout would be far less damaging and more ephemeral than many might suggest."
Barry Eisler: The Definition of Insanity Barry Eisler 2010
bilby commented on the word nelly
There's an Australian expression 'not on your nelly' (or nellie) meaning 'no way, absolutely no'.
September 9, 2013