Where does the phrase "willy-nilly" come from? | | "Willy Nilly" is the perfect name for a character on an animated children's show. But this common phrase was coined centuries before TV was invented. | |  | Bennett Kleinman |
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| |  | | D oing something in a willy-nilly manner means acting haphazardly without considering the potential consequences. It may work out in your favor, but it also may cause headaches down the line. For instance, someone with a willy-nilly morning routine (i.e., NO routine) may end up wearing mismatched socks and leaving their lunch, wallet, and phone at home.
The origins of the phrase "willy-nilly" date back to a Latin source and a Middle English rhyme — the current version of the phrase has been popular for centuries. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) cites the classical Latin phrase velim nōlim ("whether I will or not") as the precursor to "willy-nilly." It was adopted into 16th-century English as "will he nill he" — "nill" being an archaic term meaning "not to will" or "not wanting to." The original phrase could be used with other pronouns as well (e.g., "will I nill I," "will ye nill ye").
One of the earliest examples of this English phrase in print appears in a 1548 translation of the New Testament edited by Nicholas Udall: "A benefite or good turne is to bee put in the lappe, and will he nill he, to bee dooen to the neighbour beeyng in necessitee." By then it meant something is bound to happen, whether the person is willing or unwilling (nilling). The OED also cites a 1608 example where the phrase was shortened to "wille nille," likely one of the first instances with each set of verbs and pronouns combined. A "-y" suffix eventually replaced the "-e" by the end of the 18th century, giving us the current spelling.
Everyone loves a rhyme, and the sing-song nature of "willy-nilly" contributed to its popularity and longevity in the lexicon. The original meaning implied "whether he will or he won't," but it evolved over time to mean that a willy-nilly event would happen no matter what. It usually occurred spontaneously and without planning, and that's why we associate "willy-nilly" with a feeling of haphazardness today. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Fleur-de-lis | | | Meaning: Depicts the fleur-de-lis, a lily with three petals, a symbol historically associated with the French monarchy.
Evolution: The fleur-de-lis was once used by kings named Louis, but in the U.S., it's a nod to French and Cajun history, especially in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Usage: [Text to a friend:] Can't wait for Mardi Gras in New Orleans! ⚜️🎭🎷 |
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| | Fleur-de-lis | | | Meaning: Depicts the fleur-de-lis, a lily with three petals, a symbol historically associated with the French monarchy.
Evolution: The fleur-de-lis was once used by kings named Louis, but in the U.S., it's a nod to French and Cajun history, especially in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Usage: [Text to a friend:] Can't wait for Mardi Gras in New Orleans! ⚜️🎭🎷 |
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Have you read? | |  | | Young Woman and the Sea | | By Glenn Stout | | World record-setting Olympic swimmer Trudy Ederle was, for a time, the most famous woman on the planet. The ambitious athlete set her sights on something unimaginable during her era, becoming the first woman to swim the 21 miles across the English Channel. As a 19-year-old woman coming of age during the 1920s, Trudy's biggest problem wasn't the waves. Stout shares the true story of Ederle's fight against gender discrimination in this tale of staggering determination. | | | | Rachel Gresh, Word Smarts Contributor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | Young Woman and the Sea | | By Glenn Stout | | World record-setting Olympic swimmer Trudy Ederle was, for a time, the most famous woman on the planet. The ambitious athlete set her sights on something unimaginable during her era, becoming the first woman to swim the 21 miles across the English Channel. As a 19-year-old woman coming of age during the 1920s, Trudy's biggest problem wasn't the waves. Stout shares the true story of Ederle's fight against gender discrimination in this tale of staggering determination. | | | | Rachel Gresh, Word Smarts Contributor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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