First Known Use: 1820
Dictionary
1roly–poly
adjective ro·ly–po·ly \ˌrō-lē-ˈpō-lē\
: short and fat
Full Definition of ROLY-POLY
: being short and pudgy : rotund
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Origin of ROLY-POLY
reduplication of roly, from 2roll
2roly–poly
noun
: a sweet dough that is spread with jam, rolled up, and baked or steamed
plural roly–polies
Full Definition of ROLY-POLY
1
: a roly-poly person or thing
2
British : a sweet dough spread with a filling, rolled, and baked or steamed —called also roly-poly pudding
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First Known Use of ROLY-POLY
1836
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