"Dicky" is British slang meaning in bad condition; shaky, unsteady, or unreliable. It's often used to describe feeling unwell.
Here's a breakdown:
- Meaning: Generally, "dicky" implies something isn't quite right or is functioning poorly.
- Usage:
- Health: "I feel a bit dicky today" indicates the speaker is feeling unwell or under the weather.
- Objects: You might say a car engine is "dicky" if it's not running smoothly.
- Origin: While the exact origin is debated, it likely emerged in the 19th century in Britain.
In essence, "dicky" is a versatile slang term used to describe something as being faulty, unreliable, or in poor health.