Doolally
Meaning: Mad, crazy, mentally unstable
British slang for being mentally unhinged or going crazy. Often used humorously for eccentric or irrational behaviour.
Examples
- He's gone completely doolally. 他完全疯了Se ha vuelto completamente majara彼は完全に頭がおかしくなった그는 완전히 미쳐버렸다.
- Don't go doolally on me. 别在我面前发疯No te me vuelvas majara頭がおかしくならないでくれ나한테 미치지 마.
- She'll send me doolally with all these changes. 这些改来改去的要把我逼疯了Me va a volver majara con todos estos cambiosこんなに変更があると彼女のせいで頭がおかしくなりそうだ이렇게 변경이 많으면 그녀 때문에 미쳐버리겠다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: informal, humorous
Tone: humorous, not seriously offensive
✓ Do Say
- Going doolally要疯了Volviéndose majaraおかしくなりつつある미쳐가고 있다
- Completely doolally完全疯了Completamente majara完全におかしい완전히 미쳤다
✗ Don't Say
- Be careful with mental health sensitivity注意对心理健康话题的敏感性Tener cuidado con la sensibilidad sobre salud mental精神的な健康への配慮に注意정신 건강에 대한 민감성에 주의할 것
Common Mistakes
- Using in contexts where mental health is serious
Origin & History
From Deolali, a British Army transit camp in India where soldiers awaiting transport home sometimes experienced mental breakdown from boredom and heat. 'Doolally tap' (tap from Persian for fever) was the original phrase.
Etymology: From Deolali transit camp, India + tap (fever)
First recorded: Early 20th century British India
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century onwards
Generation: All generations
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British culture
Regional notes: British slang, Indian Army origin.
Variations
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