euphemistic respelling of nautical slang < ME ballokes < OE beallucas, testicles (akin to ball1), used as an extension of ball1
bollix in American English
(ˈbɑlɪks)
transitive verb informal
1. (often fol. by up)
to do (something) badly; bungle
His interference bollixed up the whole deal
noun
2.
a confused bungle
Also: bolix, bollox
Word origin
[1930–35; var. of ballocks]This word is first recorded in the period 1930–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: kickback, logical positivism, old school tie, technical foul, video