googly

Etymology 1

Unknown; perhaps derived from googie (“an egg, in reference to the unusual direction of bounce”). Though the delivery was perfected and made famous by English cricketer Bernard Bosanquet, circa 1900, the term is recorded earlier in Australian English (1896).

noun

1. (cricket) A ball, bowled by a leg-break bowler, that spins from off to leg (to a right-handed batsman), unlike a normal leg-break delivery.
   To go the whole round of bowlers before, again putting, on either Copplestone or B. Goodwin was a mistake, I thought, and equally so were Molyneau's repeated attempts at bowling slow "googlies." 28 Nov 1896, The Independent, Foostcray, Vic, page 3, column 3
   Pelham Warner says Bosanquet is really invaluable. He can bowl as badly as anyone in the world, but when he gets a length those slow googlies, as the Australian players call them, are apt to paralyse the greatest players. 9 Mar 1904, The Otago Witness, Otago, page 52

Etymology 2

Uncertain. Perhaps from goo-goo (“amorous”), or directly from goggle. Attested from 1901.

adj

1. (of the eyes) Bulging.
   “A shtinker,” the bug-eyed man said more loudly. […]“B'seder, fine, a shtinker rabbi,” the googly-eyed man amended, rubbing his lower gut. “But can’t you tell he’s an informer?” 2013, Ruchama King Feuerman, In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist, page 208
2. (usually of eyes, sometimes of persons) Appearing to be amorous, flirtatious.
   ‘Torture my foot! You think it’s torture for a man to ask his wife for attention? God save me from stupid women!’ – my father limped downstairs to make googly eyes at Colaba girls. 1981, Salman Rushdie, Midnight’s Children, page 131
   “Attractive enough? You should see how the mothers here act around him.” She sighed. “Everyone goes all googly when he’s around.” 2012, Elizabeth Harbison, Drive Me Wild, Harlequin