a district in NW Northern Ireland, in Co Londonderry. Pop: 106 456 (2003 est). Area: 387 sq km (149 sq miles)
another name for Londonderry
First recorded in 1545–55; of obscure origin
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A "derry" - slang for a derelict building - offered an option to young people seeking an alternative to the "taxpaying nine-to-five" lifestyle, says Prof Cohen.
From BBC • Oct. 4, 2019
When he heard them stir he clapped his hands, and cried: ‘Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! My hearties!’
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
They were as puzzled as puzzled could be, With a down; And one of them said to his mate, 'We've got these mems in a doose of a state,' With a down derry, derry down!
From The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 1 by Furniss, Harry
Here's Ashby Sterry, in punt or wherry, He's ever merry! sing "hey down derry," Or anything very Like Tra! la! la! la!
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 103, November 19, 1892 by Burnand, F. C. (Francis Cowley), Sir
Wig profound, Belly round, Sit at ease, Snatch the fees, Hey down, Ho down, Derry, derry down, All amongst the leaves so green-o.
From The Castle of Andalusia A Comic Opera, in Three Acts by O'Keeffe, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
