It’s a common enough English word, but not used overmuch in The Hobbit. An etymological mystery: Jolly from Old French jolif, but is that from Norse jól (from which, English Yule)?

• 3.015 the valley is jolly,
• 3.017 To stay would be jolly
• 4.024 including a jolly sturdy little white fellow
• 7.122 Beorn was most jolly for a change;