Dandy , an invention of 1816, and applied to persons whose extravagant dress called forth the sneers of the vulgar ; they were mostly young men who had this designation, and they were charged with wearing stays , a mistake easily fallen into, their wide web belts having that appearance. Men of fashion all became dandy soon after; having imported a good deal of French manner in their gait, lispings, wrinkled foreheads, killing king’s English, wearing immense plaited pantaloons, the coat cut away, small waistcoat, with cravat and chitterlings immense : Hat small; hair frizzled and protruding. If one fell down, he could not rise again without assistance. Yet they assumed to be a little au militaire, and some wore mustachios. Lord Petersham was at the head of this sect of mannerists.
Dandyzette , feminine of the preceding : her characteristics were a large poked bonnet, short petticoats much flounced, and paint. When she walked she kept, the step with her Dandy, as if they had been drilled together in Birdcage-walk.
Dandy-mania , the rage or desire to become dandyfied. In the reign of Mary I. square-toed shoes were in fashion, and the Dandies of that day wore them so prodigiously broad, that a royal proclamation was issued, ordering that no man should wear his shoes above six inches square at the toes.
Dandy Horse , Velocipede, or instrument for journeying far and fast : two wheels, one behind the other, supporting a bar of wood ; the traveller gets across and propels himself forward, by striking his feet against the ground. Hundreds of such might be seen in a day ; the rage ceased in about three years, and the word is becoming obsolete.
Exquisite (an) , another name for Dandy, but of more refined or feminine manners. The Chronicle says, ” It is a fact that an Exquisite fainted away on Friday, Dec. 20th, in Bond- street, and was assisted into a shop, where he remained some time before he recovered. Medical aid being sent for, it was ascertained that his valet had laced his stays too tight.” Such were ‘ Dandy-prats,’ circa 1750.
Jack-o’-Dandy , ‘ Jack, (a common name for any body) o’ Dandy’ manners; foolish, proud, and choleric as a turkey or dindon (the (n) being mute) whence by easy transition to dandy. ”
Handy, spandy, Jack o’ Dandy,
Lov’d plum-cake and sugar-candy;
He bought some at a grocer’s shop,
And well pleas’d went off with a hop , hop, hop.
Vide frontispiece to the Life of Giles Ginger-bread, wherein Jack is depicted hopping like a modern dandy.
Adonise (to) bon-ton, to dress a-la Dandy. Derived from Adonis, the supposed minion of Venus ; a cyprian by birth.
From: Slang, a Dictionary of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, the Pit, of Bon-Ton and the Varieties of Life. London: Jon Bee, 1823.