[f. JOLLY a. and sb.1; cf. OF. jolyer.]
1. intr. To make merry, enjoy oneself. rare.
1610. G. Fletcher, Christs Tri., I. xxxv. They jolly at his grief, and make their game.
1839. Thackeray, Fatal Boots, xii. Home at half-past three to dinner—when I jollied, as I call it, for the rest of the day.
2. slang. a. trans. To treat with rough merriment, ridicule or horseplay; to chaff; to abuse.
1873. Slang Dict., Jolly, to abuse or vituperate.
1879. N. & Q., 5th Ser. XI. 406. Jolleying is a common term among workmen in London, and is used to express nearly every description of verbal ridicule and abuse.
1885. J. Runciman, Skippers & Shellbacks, 146. The way they hustled us and jollied us was cruel.
b. To cheer.
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gaz., 9 Feb. (Farmer). The ring of spectators … cheered and jollied both lads vociferously.
c. To treat (a person) in a pleasant, agreeable manner, with the object of keeping him in good humor or of obtaining a favor from him. Const. up, along, etc. U.S.
1893. Gunter, Miss Dividends, 232. You’ve left her alone all to-day—you ain’t been near to jolly her up.
1894. Outing (U.S.), XXIV. 60/1. It was very difficult to beg off. I jollied the trio as best I could.
1895. Nebraska State Jrnl., 23 June, 3/1. They jollied Hiram Ebright and touched up the players.
1899. B. Matthews, in Harper’s Mag., XXVIII. 529/2. We want you to jolly them up a bit.
d. intr. To make a sham bid at an auction; see JOLLY sb.1 3.
1869. Echo, 11 Oct. Dealers who if they chance to see a likely purchaser in the crowd will forthwith commence to make false offers—termed ‘jollying’—for their own horses when brought up for auction.
