subs. (colloquial).—A simpleton: also SILLY-BILLY (or WILLY), see quot. 1851, SILLYTON and SILLIKIN. Hence TO KNOCK ONE SILLY = to hit out of time, or to affect au possible: e.g., ‘She KNOCKED HIM SILLY’ = ‘She sent him off his chump (wits, onion) about her.’
c. 1620–50. Percy Folio MS., 199. I … proffered him a favour; he kist me, and wisht me to beare with his behauior; but hie tro lolly lolly, le SILLY WILLY cold not doe, all content with him was spent.
1725. N. BAILEY, trans. The Colloquies of Erasmus, 586. SILLYTON, forbear railing, and hear what’s said to you.
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I. 144. SILLY BILLY is a kind of clown, or rather a clown’s butt; but not after the style of Pantaloon, for the part is comparatively juvenile. SILLY BILLY is supposed to be a schoolboy, although not dressed in a charity-boy’s attire. He is very popular with the audience at the fairs; indeed, they cannot do without him.
c. 1876. Music Hall Song, ‘The Blessed Orphan.’
| They think I am a SILLIKIN | |
| But I am rather knowing. |
1869. C. H. SPURGEON, John Ploughman’s Talk, 101. Poor SILLIES, they have wind on the brain.
