Like billy-o

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Meaning

Very hard, fast, loudly or intensely. Can intensify many verbs, not only movement: rain, work, shout and hurt are natural combinations. Regional use: British English.

Origin

The British intensifier is documented in several spellings from the 19th century. Its origin is unknown. Stories about the locomotive Puffing Billy or a preacher named Billio are attractive but chronologically unsupported; historical dictionaries appropriately leave the derivation unresolved.

Variants

  • Like billy-oh
  • Like billio
  • Like billy-hoo

Usage Examples

  • It rained like billy-o all the way from Penrith to the coast.
  • We had to pedal like billy-o to reach the last ferry.

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