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Hi there,
I'd like to pose a question: in what sense can the phrase "a jolly bunch of friends" can be offensive?
Is "a jolly bunch of folks" much different?
I don't know how it could be offensive. I suppose if you say it in a nasty tone then someone might be offended, but then it would be the tone that offended them, not the words. The words are innocent as far as I can tell.
Like kcb said, I wouldn't consider it offensive unless it was used in a sarcastic way to point out that those particular group of friends are either in a bad mood or are just plain rude.
One thing to look out for, lots of young people here associate "jolly" with some sort of fat quality, but I don't think that necessarily applies here :P
