nelly

== English == === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /nɛli/ Rhymes: -ɛli === Etymology 1 === Shortened from Nelly Duff, for puff, i.e. breath of life. ==== Noun ==== nelly (plural nellies) (Cockney rhyming slang) A person's life. ===== Usage notes ===== Used principally in the phrase not on your nelly. === Etymology 2 === From the woman's name Nelly. ==== Noun ==== nelly (plural nellies) (derogatory, slang) An effeminate homosexual man. (British, slang) A silly person. A giant petrel, Macronectes giganteus and Macronectes halli. ===== Hyponyms ===== (petrel): Antarctic giant petrel, northern giant petrel, southern giant fulmar, southern giant petrel ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Adjective ==== nelly (comparative nellier, superlative nelliest) (slang) Unmanly; effeminate. === References ===