SHILLY-SHALLY


Meaning of SHILLY-SHALLY in English

I. ˈshi-lē-ˌsha-lē adverb

Etymology: irregular reduplication of shall I

Date: 1700

: in an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner

II. adjective

Date: 1734

: irresolute , vacillating

III. intransitive verb

( shilly-shall·ied ; shilly-shally·ing )

Date: 1754

1. : to show hesitation or lack of decisiveness or resolution

2. : dawdle

IV. noun

Date: 1755

: indecision , irresolution

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.