Literary notes about golly (AI summary)
In literature, "golly" functions as a versatile exclamation that conveys surprise, emphasis, or even a touch of humor, enriching the dialogue and narrative tone. It often appears at moments of unexpected events or emotional shifts, underscoring a character’s incredulity or newfound insight—as when a character is astounded by everyday occurrences [1, 2] or expresses a sense of playful irreverence [3, 4]. Authors employ "golly" both to evoke regional speech and to enhance character voice, whether in the relaxed vernacular of a small town or in sophisticated social commentary [5, 6]. This interjection, with its shifting nuances from sincere wonder to ironic resignation, plays an instrumental role in capturing the dynamic human reaction to life’s surprises [7, 8].
- Co’se dere ain’t nuffin cooked, an’ so he don’t git nuffin to eat, but golly!
— from Caleb West, Master Diver by Francis Hopkinson Smith - train climbed the Maine mountain-ridge and from the summit he looked down the shining way among the pines; though he remarked, “Well, by golly!”
— from Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis - "By golly," he said, with an exaggerated nasal drawl, "it's good gum, I'll soon begin to feel like a blooming Yank.
— from Trenching at Gallipoli The personal narrative of a Newfoundlander with the ill-fated Dardanelles expedition by John Gallishaw - “Golly!—What on yeth brings dat little debbil here, this onsarcumcised hour ob de night?”
— from The Gypsy Queen's Vow by May Agnes Fleming - By golly, you live and learn, don't you, Antonio, you certainly do live and learn, if you live long enough and keep your strength.
— from Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis - "Golly, Jeeves!" "Sir?" "Here's an instance of how you have to think of everything.
— from Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse - "I hate books like strychnine, and, by golly, she can't make me read 'em, neither."
— from The Happy Family by B. M. Bower - “Oh, Golly , Tom!” BITTER SWEET “Sit like we do,” she whispered.
— from This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
