Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—S

Silly

is the German selig (blessed), whence the infant Jesus is termed “the harmless silly babe,” and sheep are called “silly,” meaning harmless or innocent. As the “holy” are easily taken in by wordly ounning, the word came to signify “gullible,” “foolish,” (See Simplicity.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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