All You Smart People, I Need A Little Help

[Anijen]

By the powers of Moll Kelly.

Sorry to impose on your time. I wish I had an Oxford English Dictionary, but I do not.

 

Can anybody tell me where the term "Moll Kelly" came from?

 

 

[Calm]

Never heard of it, but it might be from a character in this book:

http://books.google.com/books?id=AEIFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA239&lpg=PA239&dq=%22moll+kelly%22&source=bl&ots=UDwX7Zh1lA&sig=IRLFGksPBvDiP30uITCo07Hlx2U&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yJ6LUqSBCK_ZigKm1IHwDA&ved=0CFAQ6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=%22moll%20kelly%22&f=false

[Anijen]

Thanks Calmoriah.

I have a few phrases, and yes that book comes up often. I have tried internet searching as well, but mostly get site to the name of women. I believe it is a term describing a flaming demon from hell, but that is a very bad guess on my part. I am researching for a paper I am writing and the example I found was from the Connecticut Courant (January 1808).

 

This is the conversation it is used in;

“Holla! Messmate,” said one, “where are you bound?” “Bound to Halifax by the pipers,” replied the other, “which way are you steering?” “By the powers of Moll Kelly,” came the answer, “I am steering the same course, for there’s no standing this dambargo any longer."

 

It is regarding the 1807 Embargo Act. I would like to know also the meaning of pipers used in that conversation. 

 

edited to add; these sailors conversation is about the embargo which they despised. Ships and goods were confiscated and ports were closed that is why the sailors are asking; which way are you steering?

Edited November 19, 2013 by Anijen

[thesometimesaint]

I don't know but Molly Kelly is a woman state Senator in New Hampshire.

[bluebell]

The term "by the powers of Moll Doyle" was considered a mild oath in the early 19th century according to Cassell's Dictionary of Slang.  Maybe it's a variant of that?

 

If you google the saying, it shows up in a lot of different books around that age, especially as they have any connection to things Irish.

Edited November 19, 2013 by bluebell

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Today's "Man of steel", not a favorite Superman movie.

[Calm]

I was finally able to unbury my Compact Oxford and the magnifying glass was even in its little drawer so I looked it up...no "Moll Kelly", but "Moll" is a nickname for Mary so you may want to check to see if "Mary Kelly" has any significance, also "Moll" is another word for whore.

 

Couldn't find anything for Kelly besides something to do with the soil one finds clay for brickmaking in, Kell is a form of Caul.

 

Looks like "Mary Kelly" is a variation:

 

http://www.archive.org/stream/eccentricitiesof01williala/eccentricitiesof01williala_djvu.txt

[Anijen]

Thanks you

very much