dilly1
/ˈdɪli
/noun (plural dillies) [usually in singular] North American informal
An excellent example of a particular type of person or thing: that’s a dilly of a breakfast recipe...
- The nameless viewpoint racer is making 'one last run', and it's a dilly.
- At only $14.95 it's a dilly of a deal for this long sold-out series, previously available only in hardcover (if you could find it).
- This is their first effort to publish a shotshell reloading manual, and it's a dilly.
Origin
Late 19th century (as an adjective in the sense 'delightful'): alteration of the first syllable of delightful or delicious.
Rhymes
dilly2
/ˈdɪli/adjective (dillier, dilliest) Australian /NZ informal, dated
Odd; foolish.She'll get it dirty, get it trodden on, silly, dilly girl....
- ‘This is a double dilly sale,’ the youth desperately screams, then cocks his head in amazement of the sentence he just uttered.
Origin
Late 19th century: perhaps a blend of daft and silly.