The story
First known use, by meaning
- from 19th c. Flatteringly, obsequiously.
- from 19th c. In an oily way; with the appearance or consistency of oil.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: Flatteringly, obsequiously. Full definition →
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.