dandy

Meanings

Noun

• A man very concerned about his physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of self.
• A yawl, or a small after-sail on a yawl.
• A dandy roller.
• A small glass of whisky.

Adjective

• Like a dandy, foppish.
• Very good; better than expected but not as good as could be.
• Excellent; first-rate.

Origin

• Borrowed from Scots dandy ("a fop; one who is well-dressed"). Of uncertain origin.
• Possibly from Dandy, a diminutive of Andrew, yet the Scots word is used also in reference to women. Alternatively, possibly a back-formation of Scots dandilly, dandillie. Compare English dandle and dander.