Where did the phrase Negative Nellie originate?

People have said that the name Nellie was added after negative for the use of alliteration. But other sayings like Chatty Cathy, do originate from something. Chatty Cathy, has the name Cathy because the first talking dolls name was Cathy. read more

In 1966 President Johnson spoke of "Nervous Nellies" to refer to critics of his Vietnam policy, and the phrase caught on. Nervous Nellie acquired the connotation of "naysayer" and gave rise to similar terms like Negative Nellie, Naysayer Nellie, Negative Ned and Negative Nancy. read more

From the Japanese phrase Kontich alabien tuas meah tuerban eiz durchty imae nellie. It originated back in the 1870's where one of the first japenese named their child nellie. It was not normal and was unique. The press decided to publicise this nellie child in order to make the family rich. read more