Antarctic Dictionary

jolly

Thesaurus

jolly noun

[Prob. from jolly boat - see the earlier quotations - but perhaps also connected with the army sense of jolly a thrill of enjoyment or excitement (recorded in NOED from 1905 onwards).]

An excursion away from base, either for recreation or work.

[15 Dec 1772 (55 10S') Cook, James quoted in Beaglehole, J.C., ed. (1961) The voyage of the Resolution and Adventure Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 60.

Bro't too, hoisted the Jolly Boat out to try the Current.

1850 Gould, John in Jardine's contributions to ornithology: 93.

I was rather fortunate in procuring specimens of Procellaridae, by dint of fishing, and going out in the jolly boat whenever there was an opportunity.

1949 Granville, Wilfred Sea slang of the twentieth century Winchester, London: 135.

To take the jolly boat: go on leave without permission.]

1967British Antarctic Survey Newsletter8 (Nov): 4.

Andy Williams and Mac McKerrow have, using dogs, been surveying and "jollying" within 30 miles of base.

1986 Sydney Morning Herald 15 Feb: 9.

"It's rotten when you miss out on a jolly because you're blizzed in," says Macca looking glumly at the dense drifting snow.

1992 45th ANARE Casey yearbook 1992 [Casey ANARE, Antarctica]: 56. [glossary] Jolly: A jaunt away from the station into the wilderness, including work 'jollies'.

The Antarctic Dictionary, Hince, 2000; 196