dandy English · revision 2064

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdæn.di/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) It is perhaps short for ''jack-a-dandy'' “fop” (1632),^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) and it is first found in Scotland,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) where ''Dandy'' is a pet form of the name ''Andrew''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A man who pays exaggerated attention to elegant dress; a fop (about 1780).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word first appears in a Scottish border ballad^(Etymonline) and was in vogue in London around 1813–1819.^(Etymonline) By 1786 it could also mean anything first-rate,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the adjective “fine, splendid” is recorded from 1785 (1792 in Barnhart and Merriam-Webster),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) very popular around 1880–1900.^(Etymonline) Later technical senses, such as a kind of sailing boat, apply the idea of something neat and trim.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1632 – ''Jack O'Dandy''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c1780 – a fop.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1784 – anything superlatively fine.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1792 – adjective, fine, first-rate.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1813 – adjective, like a dandy.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1858 – a sloop or cutter with a small mizzen sail.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A man who is excessively concerned with his clothes and appearance; a fop.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(informal)'' Something excellent of its kind.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A yawl, or the small after-sail of one.^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Like a dandy; foppish.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(informal)'' Very good; first-rate.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dandyish]]

+ * [[dandyishly]]

+ * [[dandyism]]

+ * [[dandily]]

+ * [[dandify]]

+ * [[handy-dandy]]

+ * [[jack-a-dandy]]

+ * [[jim-dandy]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fop]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}