General
brolly
What does brolly mean?
RAF aircrew slang for a parachute — because when it opens above you it looks like an umbrella, and 'brolly' is the British nickname for an umbrella. WWII vintage and still in use. Hitting the silk, taking to the brolly, same thing.
"Engine packed in over the Channel and he had to take to the brolly."
Origin
Diminutive of 'umbrella'.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'brolly'?
A 'brolly' is an umbrella. It's a diminutive formed from the middle of the word 'umbrella'.
Is 'brolly' only Australian?
No, 'brolly' is also common in British English, though it fits neatly with the Australian love of shortened words.
How do you use 'brolly' in a sentence?
For example, 'Take a brolly, it's bucketing down' — 'bucketing down' meaning raining heavily.
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