What a wally

Posted by R. Berg on March 06, 2006

In Reply to: What a wally posted by harry on March 05, 2006

: Does anyone know the origin of the phrase "what a wally". I first heard it used by people returning from the IOW pop festival in 1971. Any idea why?

I've heard "wally" used as a dismissive term for anyone the speaker finds boring. It might come from the idea, true or not, that Wallace is a very conventional, old-fashioned name given to boys who became very conventional, old-fashioned men. (It's true that you don't meet many Wallaces anymore.) I don't know, though.

• What a wally pamela 06/March/06
  • What a wally pamela 06/March/06