First Known Use: 1608
Dictionary
willy–nilly
adverb or adjective wil·ly–nil·ly \ˌwi-lē-ˈni-lē\
: in a careless and unplanned way
: in a way that does not allow any choices or planning
Full Definition of WILLY-NILLY
1
: by compulsion : without choice
2
: in a haphazard or spontaneous manner
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Origin of WILLY-NILLY
alteration of will I nill I or will ye nill ye or will he nill he
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