British Slang 'Doolally' Originates From Maharashtra's Deolali, Not UK
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News18•29-01-2026, 15:37
British Slang 'Doolally' Originates From Maharashtra's Deolali, Not UK
- •The British slang 'going doolally,' meaning losing one's mind, surprisingly originates from colonial India, specifically the town of Deolali in Maharashtra.
- •The term is a corrupted form of 'Doolally tap,' where 'tap' means fever in Hindustani/Urdu, and 'Doolally' refers to Deolali, initially meaning 'camp fever.'
- •British soldiers at the Deolali Transit Camp (established 1861 near Nashik) used the phrase to describe erratic behavior caused by extreme heat, boredom, and long waits for troopships.
- •Conditions at the camp, including overcrowding, sand flea bites, and pre-monsoon heat, contributed to mental distress, with some soldiers experiencing cerebral malaria or alcoholism.
- •Today, Deolali is home to Asia's largest cantonment and the Indian Army School of Artillery, and the term 'Doolally' also lives on in India's craft beer scene with Doolally Craft Beers.
Why It Matters: The common British slang 'doolally' has its roots in the Indian town of Deolali, Maharashtra.
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