Where does the expression willy-nilly come from?

Where does the expression willy-nilly come from?

The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology says it’s a contraction of “will I, nill I” or “will he, nill he” or “will ye, nill ye.” The word “nill” is from the Old English “nyllan,” a combination of “ne” (no) and “willan” (will). The phrase “willy-nilly” means “unwillingly” or “haphazardly.”

What does nilly willy mean?

1 : by compulsion : without choice. 2 : in a haphazard or spontaneous manner.

What is a synonym for willy-nilly?

other words for willy-nilly MOST RELEVANT. haphazardly. ambivalent. inevitable. perforce.

Is Willy-Nilly an idiom?

1 do something whether you want to or not: She was forced willy-nilly to accept the company’s proposals. 2 do something in a careless way without planning: Don’t just use your credit card willy-nilly. This expression is a shortened form of ‘willing or not willing’.

What is a nilly?

adverb or adjective. : by compulsion : without choice.

Can a person be haphazard?

1 disorganized, unsystematic, careless, slapdash, helter-skelter.

What does revered mean in the Bible?

Verb. revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling.

Is there rebirth in Christianity?

Although the majority of denominations within Christianity and Islam do not believe that individuals reincarnate, particular groups within these religions do refer to reincarnation; these groups include the mainstream historical and contemporary followers of Cathars, Alawites, the Druze, and the Rosicrucians.

What are the sources of temptation?

As the sources of temptation, they are viewed as in opposition to the Trinity. They are reflected in the Temptation of Christ in the desert: the world: to tempt God by casting himself off the pinnacle; the flesh: to turn stones into bread; and the devil: to worship Satan.