E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Skillygolee.
Slip-slop, wish-wash, twaddle, talk about gruel. “Skilly” is prison-gruel or, more strictly speaking, the water in which meat has been boiled thickened with oatmeal. Broth served on board the hulks to convicts is called skilly.
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“It is the policy of Cursitor Street and skilly golee.”—The Daily Telegraph.
