Hooly or Huly: Adv. ‘To proceed gently or softly, with steadiness or caution.’ Scottish/Irish
The word Hooly first appeared in English in the 14th Century. It was found in the Scottish expression Hooly and Fairly, meaning ‘to proceed slowly, carefully and cautiously.’
Over time, the word came to have negative connotations and hooliness or hulinesss was associated with someone with an overly cautious approach who was slow to do something. The word hooly/huly survives in the dialects of northern England and Scotland.
Fortunately, my thoughts are agreeable, cash difficulties are provided for as far as I can see. So that we can go on hooly and fairly. ~ Sir Walter Scott. The Journal of Sir Walter Scott. 1827
Just to look that their tackle does not graze on the face o’ the crag, and to let the chair down and draw it up hooly and fairly. We will halloo when we are ready. ~ Sir Walter Scott, The Antiquary, 1816
In our restless society that always strives for faster, better, stronger – maybe hooly still as a word and a concept still has a place?
References
Hooly: Merriam Webster Dictionary
The Cabinet of Linguistic Curiosities : A Yearbook of Forgotten Words by Paul Anthony Jones
Content Catnip 
Great word Catnip. I would go as far as to say that if ‘hooly’ activity doesn’t return to our world, we face a miserable future. Am I hooly when I sit in the sunshine for endless afternoon hours, contemplating? That’s how it feels. Cheers, Kev
LikeLike
It sounds lovely Kev, enjoying the sunshine and the afternoon contemplating, yes definitely a hooly pursuit. Hope you are going well, thank you for your comment, take care 🙂
LikeLike