silly billy

noun

1. a clownish person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of silly billy¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

“Well, get a move on, Silly Billy!”

From Literature

Styrene’s first pre-punk single was a pop-reggae song called “Silly Billy” about teenage pregnancy.

From New York Times

In a letter written from France in 2000, Mr Hampton said: "Having had mental problems, everyone thinks I am barking mad, a silly Billy goat, and don't believe a word I say or write. Sorry, it was England that kicked me into the hands of Sinn Féin."

From BBC

He was working on a short film about party clowns when he encountered David “Silly Billy” Friedman, a popular hire in the New York area for birthday parties.

From The Guardian

Still, if it falls to me to look like a silly billy, it’d hardly be the first time.

From The Guardian