sb. U.S. [cf. CALLOW sb. 3, the equivalent term in England.] The top-soil that is removed in order to get at clay for brick-making. Hence Kelly v. (see quot.).
1884. C. T. Davis, Manuf. Bricks, 103. This vegetable soil is called in brickyard parlance, ‘kelly,’ and the operation of removing it termed ‘taking off the kelly.’ Ibid. The operation of placing the soil upon the places where the bricks are moulded is termed ‘kellying the floors.’
