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RELATED WORDS
Origin of shilly-shally
1690–1700; orig. repeated question, shall I? shall I? later altered on the model of its synonym dilly-dally
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for shilly-shally
Historical Examples of shilly-shally
There is no use in this shilly-shally way of yours, St. Clare!
Uncle Tom's CabinHarriet Beecher Stowe
Shilly-shally, to trifle or fritter away time; to be irresolute.
The Slang DictionaryJohn Camden Hotten
Drapery it was, and quickly; for Mrs. Munsey was not wont to shilly-shally.
Tales of Mean StreetsArthur Morrison
Strange that people will have so much faith in shilly-shally!
Charles Sumner; his complete works, volume 7 (of 20)Charles Sumner
"I have little experience of shilly-shally methods," replied his visitor.
The Open QuestionElizabeth Robins
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper