Dolly Daydream

English

WOTD – 19 February 2017

The cover of the sheet music for the song “Little Dolly Daydream” (1897) by English composer Leslie Stuart (1863–1928)

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈdɑli ˈdeɪdɹiːm/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈdɒli ˈdeɪdɹiːm/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: Dol‧ly Day‧dream

Noun

Dolly Daydream (plural Dolly Daydreams)

1. A girl or woman given to daydreaming.
   • 1897, Leslie Stuart (lyrics and music), “Little Dolly Daydream: Pride of Idaho”, performed by Eugene Stratton, London: Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd., →OCLC:

     Little Dolly Daydream, pride of Idaho: so now ye know! / And when ye go, ye'll see there's somethin' on her mind, don't think it's you. / 'Kase no one's got to kiss dat garl but me.

   • 2008, Tess Stevens, “Freedom and Love”, in Sold: A Young Girl Betrayed by Her Mother into a Life of Vice, London: Hodder & Stoughton, →ISBN:

     In fact nobody knew what Jess wanted, least of all herself. She just kind of drifted round the place. She'd always been a Dolly Daydream, as Mother called her […], and she seemed to have even less backbone than me.

   • 2012, Melanie Hudson, chapter 10, in The Wedding Cake Tree, Camberley, Surrey: Choc Lit, →ISBN:

     She smiled at the memory of Mum. 'She was such a Dolly Daydream that mother of yours.'

Hypernyms

• daydreamer