definition: used figuratively from circa 1200 in an approving sense, “one who is fiercely brave”, and a disapproving one, “tyrannical leader, greedy devourer”. The verb lionize “to treat “someone” as a celebrity” was used by Scott (1809) and preserves lion in the sense of “person of note who is much sought-after” (1715), originally in reference to the lions kept in the Tower of London, objects of general curiosity that every visitor in town was taken to see.

A fine dashing fellow; an aristocrat every inch; the “lion” of society.

in German: Salonlöwe

source: Online Etymological Dictionary & Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898)