Etymology Map
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Jolly

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means happy and cheerful

Where does the word "jolly" come from? It comes from Old Norse jol, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
jol
Old Norse · medieval
"yule feast"
possibly from Old Norse 'jól', the midwinter feast, or Latin 'gaudium'
2
Stage 2 of 3
jolif
Old French · medieval
"festive, merry"
described youthful gaiety
3
Stage 3 of 3
jolly
English · 1300s
"merry"
'jolly' as 'very' in British slang dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Jolly’s story begins in Old Norse: jol meant “yule feast.” Possibly from Old Norse 'jól', the midwinter feast, or Latin 'gaudium'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as jolif. Described youthful gaiety. It reached English by 1300s as jolly. 'jolly' as 'very' in British slang dates from the 1500s. Today, jolly means happy and cheerful.