Golly
/ˈɡɒli/noun
An exclamation of surprise, wonder, or mild emphasis.
Did you know?Golly is widely understood as a euphemistic alteration of God, part of the old English habit of dodging blasphemy by reshaping sacred names into safer-sounding exclamations.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Modern English
English
God
“The name of the deity, later avoided in exclamatory speech”
17th-18th Century
English
goll / golly
“A softened oath or minced exclamation used to avoid direct blasphemy”
18th-19th Century
English
goll-darn / by golly
“Euphemistic oath-like phrases used for emphasis or surprise”
Modern English
English
golly
“A mild exclamation expressing astonishment or delight”