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Ever Wonder Why Britishers Say ‘Going Doolally’? Believe It Or Not, The Word Originates From Maharashtra
Ever Wonder Why Britishers Say ‘Going Doolally’? Believe It Or Not, The Word Originates From Maharashtra
If a Brit says they are “going doolally," they usually mean they are losing it a little or feeling mentally done with everything. It definitely sounds very British and most people assume it came from UK itself. But that is not true. The phrase actually has its origins in colonial India linked to a place near Maharashtra and a very specific chapter of history.
Recently, a post on X (formerly Twitter) by an account named Vincent Van Gyaan brought this forgotten history back into the spotlight.
“Doolally. Ever wondered why Brits say “going doolally" to mean losing your mind? The answer lies not in London… but in colonial India, near Mumbai. A story of heat, boredom, empire — and one legendary military camp," the post mentioned.
An Indian Town Behind British Slang
The word “doolally" is actually a corrupted form of “Doolally tap." Break it down and its meaning becomes clearer. “Tap" comes from Hindustani and Urdu, which refers to fever, while “Doolally" traces back to Deolali, a town in Maharashtra. Together, the phrase originally meant “camp fever."
Over time, British soldiers began using “Doolally tap" to describe erratic behaviour seen among troops who had spent too long waiting in miserable conditions. By the 1940s, the phrase was shortened to simply “doolally" and it entered everyday British slang as a casual way to say someone had lost their mind.
Inside The Deolali Transit Camp
The story truly begins in 1861 when the British established the Deolali Transit Camp near Nashik. It functioned as a holding area for soldiers arriving in India or finishing their service and waiting to return home. Troopships only sailed during the “trooping season" which was from November to March, to avoid monsoon dangers.
This meant many soldiers were stuck in Deolali for months with nothing to do. No duties. No structure. Just extreme heat, dust-filled air and endless waiting. The camp was frequently overcrowded. This forced soldiers to sleep on floors while enduring sand flea bites and unbearable pre-monsoon conditions.
When Going Mad Wasn't Just A Figure of Speech
While “doolally" became shorthand for madness, the behaviour behind the term often had real medical explanations. Cerebral malaria, common in the region, affected the brain and could cause confusion and personality changes. With boredom setting in, many soldiers also turned to alcohol that led to alcoholism within the camp.
Visits to nearby Nashik's gin bars and brothels were common, which resulted in venereal diseases.
What Deolali Looks Like Today
After India gained independence in 1947, the camp was handed over to the Indian Army. Today, it is home to Asia's largest cantonment and the prestigious Indian Army School of Artillery, which shifted there in 1941.
Over the years, Deolali has also developed a reputation as a peaceful hill station. The clean air and calm surroundings have made it a popular location for health sanatoriums, especially those set up by Gujarati and Parsi communities.
Doolally Connection With Beer In India
The word “doolally" didn't stop evolving. The term lives on in India's craft beer scene with Doolally Craft Beers. It is India's first microbrewery that opened its doors in Pune in October 2009.
Founded by Oliver Schauf, Suketu Talekar and Prateek Chaturvedi, the brand helped kick-start India's craft beer movement. Today, Doolally Taprooms are popular social hubs across Mumbai and Pune.
Source: News18
Related Posts: doolally, British slang, Deolali camp, colonial India, Doolally tap, origin of doolally, Deolali history, Indian Army School of Artillery
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