Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (Aus.) someone or something unimportant.

1885

Bulletin (Sydney) 28 Feb. 7/1: A. G. Taylor’s ‘Iron Hand’ lecture has ‘knocked ’em’ at Morpeth. Amongst other things he said the metropolitan Press was corrupt and biased, but the country Press was singularly fair and impartial. No wonder, after this, that the Morpeth lollie boy gave him four columns all to himself.

2. (N.Z.) a politician’s ‘gofer’.

2003

McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. 129: The lolly boy originally sold lollies along with icecreams and peanuts and popcorn off a wooden tray round his neck at the cinema. He has come to mean the person who carries and fetches for his boss, as some politicians have done.