The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #63879 Message #2349408
Posted By: Mick Pearce (MCP)
26-May-08 - 12:15 PM
Thread Name: Origins/Info: Dolli-ah (Newcastle Song)
Subject: RE: Dolli-ah
I can't find dillen, though Shorter OED does have:
dilling - Now dial 1854. Darling; the last born of a family; dial. the weakling of a litter.
Perhaps it's a version of this in the darling sense. The song doesn't imply she's a whore, but maybe a woman of easy virtue!.
As regards the pronounciation of dolly as doley, that must be a recent change. Since first hearing the song in the 60s I don't think I ever heard it as other than dolly.
Mick