Blowing a hooley

On 22 Nov 2006 12:13:30 -0800, "Nigel Greenwood"
[nq:1]... or possibly hoolie. This expression for a strong gale seems to be quite common in the UK now, but doesn't get a mention in my dictionaries (I've got the NSOED, not the OED). Any suggestions as to the origin of the phrase?[/nq]
A "hooley" or "hoolie" is an Irish term for a party or a celebration, and usually a loud and boisterous on

[nq:1]... or possibly hoolie. This expression for a strong gale seems to be quite common in the UK now, but ... OED). Any suggestions as to the origin of the phrase? Nigel ScriptMaster language resources (Chinese/Modern & Classical Greek/IPA/Persian/Russian/Turkish): http://www.elgin.free-online.co.uk[/nq]
The onl

[nq:1]... or possibly hoolie. This expression for a strong gale seems to be quite common in the UK now, but doesn't get a mention in my dictionaries (I've got the NSOED, not the OED). Any suggestions as to the origin of the phrase?[/nq]
Ah, now, I'll not be understandin' what ye'r not understandin' at all at all.

[nq:2]... or possibly hoolie. This expression for a strong gale ... OED). Any suggestions as to the origin of the phrase?[/nq]
[nq:1]The online edition of Collins for hooley has hooley or hoolie noun -leys -lies Chiefly Irish and NZ a lively party History: C19: of unknown origin[/nq]
The 1903 Funk & Wagnalls has the following:
(var. , , , from Hindustani ), n. A Hindu festival in hono

[nq:1]... or possibly hoolie. This expression for a strong gale seems to be quite common in the UK now, but ... OED). Any suggestions as to the origin of the phrase? Nigel ScriptMaster language resources (Chinese/Modern & Classical Greek/IPA/Persian/Russian/Turkish): http://www.elgin.free-online.co.uk[/nq]
Nice, b

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I'd seen the other meanings in the dictionaries; but no one has yet come up with a definition meaning a wind or gale. Yet if you google "blowing a hooley (or hoolie)" you'll see that it's quite common & I've certainly heard it quite often at my gliding club. What prompted my post was that the BBC Radio 4 weather forecast used the expression this morning.

Nig

[nq:1]If you want a dictionary definition and origin information, see http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/blow a hoolie/ and follow that to Cassell's.[/nq]
IOU an apology. I hadn't read your answer closely enough! Now that I've followed the link to this excellent resource I see th

[nq:1]Thanks for the responses. Yes, I'd seen the other meanings in the dictionaries; but no one has yet come up ... gliding club. What prompted my post was that the BBC Radio 4 weather forecast used the expression this morning. Nigel[/nq]
In some dialects the word "whole" is pronounced to rhyme with "fool". So perhaps when the wind blows a hooley you don't get a steady gale, you get the "whol