nelly

Etymology 1
Shortened from Nelly Duff, for puff, i.e. breath of life.

Noun

 * 1)  A person's life.

Usage notes

 * Used principally in the phrase.

Etymology 2
From the woman's name.

Noun

 * 1)  An effeminate homosexual man.
 * 2)  A silly person.
 * 3) A giant petrel,  and.

Translations

 * German: Riesensturmvogel

Adjective

 * 1)  Unmanly; effeminate.