'Catchphrases' used by Veteran Relatives

Deolali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
World Wide Words: Doolally tap


Then there was "Doolali" meaning "crazy", obviously Indian in origin, but why ?

 

AtHomeDad

Thanks for that...... it was driving me doolally

Ron

 

This chokes me up a bit because I have forgotten more than I can remember. My dad entered the desert war just before Alamein in 51 Recce and remained in Egypt at CTC Kabrit until 1944. One of his favourite sayings, if he was pleased with something, was that it was: 'ta ma mouwie' (apologies to any Arabic scholars). He also sang a lullaby to me as a kid and to my kids, later on, which went (apologies again): 'Ku dali bi sueskit, ku dali bi su nam, o makisa hida, abu kili nam.' I think there were a few more verses but ... the mists of time!! I would really like to know their meaning if anyone can decipher these phrases. In hope, Tom.