Telly vs. Belly — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
"Telly" is British slang for television, focusing on entertainment devices, while "belly" refers to the stomach, part of human anatomy.
Difference Between Telly and Belly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Telly is colloquial British English for television, often used in casual conversation to denote the device or the concept of watching TV. Whereas, belly refers to the abdominal area of the body, including the part that contains the primary digestive organs.
Telly represents a key element of leisure and media consumption, symbolizing a source of entertainment and information. On the other hand, belly is associated with core physical functions such as digestion and, in cultural contexts, with notions of nourishment and health.
Telly is an object external to the human body and requires external inputs like electricity and broadcasting to function. While, belly is an integral part of the human body, involved in essential life processes and requiring food and care.
Discussions about the telly might focus on technological aspects, programming, and its impact on social life. In contrast, discussions about the belly often involve health, comfort, and sometimes aesthetics, such as in fashion or fitness.
The use of telly varies depending on cultural context, being most prevalent in the UK. Whereas, the term belly is universally understood in English-speaking regions and carries similar meanings across different cultures.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
British slang for television
The stomach or abdominal area
Usage Context
Entertainment, media
Anatomy, health, and physical well-being
Physical Nature
An electronic device
A part of the human body
Cultural Significance
Leisure and lifestyle in modern society
Associated with health and nourishment
Variability
Dependent on technological advancements
Consistent across cultures but varies in personal health contexts
Compare with Definitions
Telly
Refers to the physical TV set.
We need a new telly as the old one broke.
Belly
Refers to the stomach area.
He held his belly in pain.
Telly
British term for television.
We watched the football match on the telly.
Belly
Can denote the broader abdominal region.
The boxer took a punch right in the belly.
Telly
Informal and primarily UK usage.
The kids are too noisy when the telly is on.
Belly
Associated with digestion.
Foods that are good for your belly health.
Telly
Associated with broadcast content.
Did you see that new series on the telly?
Belly
Central part of the body.
She did exercises to strengthen her belly.
Telly
Used to describe the act of watching TV.
She spends her evenings in front of the telly.
Belly
Often used in expressions of fullness or hunger.
I have a full belly after that meal.
Telly
A television set.
Belly
See abdomen.
Telly
(colloquial) Television.
Not much on telly tonight, as usual!
Belly
The underside of the body of certain vertebrate animals, such as a snake.
Telly
(colloquial) A television set.
We've got a new flat-screen telly'.
Belly
A cut of meat from the underside of an animal, especially a pig.
Telly
A hotel or motel.
I'm staying at the telly this weekend.
Belly
The stomach.
Telly
A receiver that displays television images;
The British call a tv set a telly
Belly
An appetite for food.
Belly
The womb; the uterus.
Belly
A part that bulges or protrudes
The belly of a sail.
Belly
(Anatomy) The bulging, central part of a muscle.
Belly
A deep or central interior space
The engine in the belly of a ship.
Fish down in the belly of a river.
Belly
To bulge or cause to bulge.
Belly
The abdomen, especially a fat one.
You've grown a belly over Christmas! Time to join the gym again.
Belly
The stomach.
My belly was full of wine.
Belly
The womb.
Belly
The lower fuselage of an airplane.
Belly
The part of anything which resembles (either closely or abstractly) the human belly in protuberance or in concavity; often, the fundus#Noun (innermost part).
The belly of a flask, muscle, violin, sail, or ship
Belly
The main curved portion of a knife blade#Noun.
Belly
(architecture) The hollow part of a curved or bent timber#Noun, the convex part of which is the back.
Belly
To position one’s belly; to move on one’s belly.
Belly
(intransitive) To swell and become protuberant; to bulge or billow.
Belly
(transitive) To cause to swell out; to fill.
Belly
The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly.
Underneath the belly of their steeds.
Belly
The womb.
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.
Belly
The part of anything which resembles the human belly in protuberance or in cavity; the innermost part; as, the belly of a flask, muscle, sail, ship.
Out of the belly of hell cried I.
Belly
The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the convex part of which is the back.
Belly
To cause to swell out; to fill.
Your breath of full consent bellied his sails.
Belly
To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge.
The bellying canvas strutted with the gale.
Belly
The region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis
Belly
A protruding abdomen
Belly
A part that bulges deeply;
The belly of a sail
Belly
The hollow inside of something;
In the belly of the ship
Belly
The underpart of the body of certain vertebrates such as snakes or fish
Belly
Swell out or bulge out
Common Curiosities
What is the origin of the term telly?
It is derived from British slang, a short form for television.
What are common health issues associated with the belly?
Common issues include indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain.
How has the use of the telly changed over time?
With technological advancements, its use has expanded from a simple broadcast receiver to include streaming and interactive content.
What is "belly fat"?
Belly fat refers to adipose tissue accumulation in the abdominal area, often associated with health risks.
How can one care for their belly health?
Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise are key to healthy belly function.
What are popular programs to watch on the telly?
Popular programs vary by region but include genres like dramas, sports, and reality shows.
Is it common to use "telly" outside of the UK?
While understood globally, "telly" is predominantly used and recognized in the UK.
Can belly refer to animals as well as humans?
Yes, belly can refer to the stomach area of both animals and humans.
Are there cultural differences in how people use their telly?
Yes, television usage varies widely, influenced by local content, cultural preferences, and technological access.
What does "belly up" mean in English slang?
The phrase "belly up" can have two meanings; it can either refer to a situation where a business fails or goes bankrupt, or it can also indicate approaching something or someone.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
