An old-fashioned word for a friend or mate; also an archaic term for someone who is easily tricked or deceived.
Origin uncertain; possibly from Latin 'colle' (neck) as a term of familiarity, or from Hindi 'khuli' (open). Some scholars suggest it comes from Hindi/Urdu via colonial India. It was common slang in 16th-17th century England, especially in taverns and among rogues.
Shakespeare probably would have used 'cully' in his plays as contemporary slang—it's the kind of word that was cool for about 200 years then disappeared. Colonial connections suggest it traveled back from India, proving that 'cool slang' has always been borrowed from other cultures!
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