▪ I. velly
(ˈvɛlɪ)
A representation of a Chinese pronunc. of ‘very’; also used joc.
| 1898 Applause Reciter 16 Ole man talkee, ‘No can walk, Bimeby lain come, velly dark; Have got water, velly wide!’ 1937 D. & H. Teilhet Feather Cloak Murders ii. 48 The Chinese woman rushed to him. ‘You neahlly killed... Velly neahlly killed.’ 1948 L. Durrell Spirit of Place (1969) 98 Shakespear him velly fine big⁓speak sing song man. 1970 J. Lees-Milne Another Self iii. 47 Poor Janie still loves her little cousin velly, velly much. 1974 N. Bentley Inside Information xiii. 135 ‘Velly good, sir.’ Cheng bowed. |
▪ II. velly
dial. var. felly felloe.