galley-west

[ gal-ee-west ]

adverb

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

adjective

1. Northern U.S. lopsided; cockeyed.

galley-west

adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley-west¹

1870–75, Americanism; alteration of British dialect collywest

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley-west¹

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

Example Sentences

This ranch can go galley-west an' crooked till we get that snake.

From Project Gutenberg

I'd just hate awfully to lose those horns, now that I've knocked him galley-west.

From Project Gutenberg

You knocked it galley-west by poking yourself into the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus brought into the open was a paradox which may knock the complex proration system galley-west: an efficient method of controlling production has been worked out, but since the Federal antitrust suit against the oil industry at Madison, Wis. last year, there has been no way of stabilizing the price or the quantity of refined petroleum: Stabilization of oil was first attempted under NRA.

From Time Magazine Archive

By last week most probers of the meat mess had reached the same conclusion: too-rigid restrictions and price controls on a sensitive market had knocked the whole meat system galley-west.

From Time Magazine Archive