The story
From a catchphrase introduced in a BBC radio comedy programme, Educating Archie (1950)http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-jol1.htm.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
jolly-hockey-sticks
Today it means: Wholesomely athletic and enthusiastic, in a manner stereotypically associated with traditional British public schools for girls. Full definition →