galley-west

[ gal-ee-west ]

/ ˈgæl iˈwɛst /

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adverb

Informal. into a state of unconsciousness, confusion, or disarray (usually used in the phrase to knock galley-west).

adjective

Northern U.S. lopsided; cockeyed.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of galley-west

1870–75, Americanism; alteration of British dialect collywest

Words nearby galley-west

gallery wire, gallet, galley, galley proof, galley slave, galley-west, gallfly, Gallia, galliambic, Galliano, galliard

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use galley-west in a sentence

From the shadows by the gate Lucy Larcom sprang aloft to knock another beetle galley-west.
Galusha the Magnificent|Joseph C. Lincoln
I then met with a change of heart, and overthrew the warty heathen god, and knocked him galley west.
Remarks|Bill Nye
I think it, or my sickness or the whole business together, knocked most of that self-confidence of mine galley-west.
The Portygee|Joseph Crosby Lincoln
Your generosity knocks that superstition galley-west, so I'll take you at your word.
The Long Chance|Peter B. Kyne

The argument that all the strong animals eat only herbs and fruits was here knocked galley-west.
Confessions of a Neurasthenic|William Taylor Marrs

British Dictionary definitions for galley-west

galley-west

adverb

slang, mainly US into confusion, inaction, or unconsciousness (esp in the phrase knock (someone or something) galley-west)

Word Origin for galley-west

C19: from English dialect colly-west awry, perhaps from Collyweston, a village in Northamptonshire

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012