Mr. URBAN, R, Hants, July 10.

THE word Dandipart, or Dandiprat, has, we believe, not been well defined by any author, otherwise than by way of contempt and ridicule; and the term Dandy, on the same principle, at the present day, is applied to a certain set of men not unlike those formerly denominated Fribbles, who, instead of supporting the dignity and manliness of their own sex, incline to the delicacy and manners of a female. But from what source the word Dandy is derived seems hitherto uncertain.

That Dandy and Dandiprat meant a term of reproach and ridicule, as above said, we have sufficient authority for. In Cotgrave’s Dictionary (1650), it is defined by Manche d’Estille, handle of a currycomb, slender little fellow, or dwarf.

Torriano, in his Italian Dictionary, construes Dandipart by Nano, or Homiccuolo, a dwarf, pretty little man, or mannikin. Johnson merely says that Dandipart means a little fellow, urchin; a word sometimes used in fondness, sometimes contempt; and derives it from Dandin, a noddy, or ninny.

That the word means something diminutive is clear, from a child’s book of nonsensical verses, out of date many years since; one of which begins, “Little Jack Dandiprat was my first suitor,” &c. And again, “Spicky spandy, Jacky Dandy,” &c. But, independent of size, the word appears to define something very slender; for, in Bulwer’s “Artificial Changeling” (1653), in one of the complimentary sets of verses to the author, after noticing various distortions of the human figure, he mentions one having

“Eares of so huge a compasse, and broad eyes, [bies.”
As men were swine, and turn’d to owle
And, in contrast ,
“Sometimes with lacings and with swaiths so strait,
For want of space we have a Dandiprat.”
And again ,
“Sir Jeffries Babil, dilling petite
A peccadillo of Barnabie’s night,
Things so pucil and small, the statute wise
Exempt from coupling, being under size.”

And further, we find the word used for something of little or no value, in a dialogue between Comen Secretary and Jelowsy (see Beloe’s Anecdotes, vol. I. p. 890), where Secretary says:

”Yes, but take heede by the pryce ye have no losse. [marke for a goose.
A mode merchaunt, that wyll gyve v
Beware a rolling ey, which waverynge thought make that, [Pratt.”
And for such stuffe passe not a Dandy

But to the purport of this Letter, which is principally to enquire whence the word Dandiprat or Dandipart has origin. We are told, in Camden’s Remains, concerning Great Britain (1636), p. 188, that “King Henry the Seventh stamped a small coin called Dandiprat, and first I read coined Shillings.”

Leake, also, in his Historical Account of English Monics (1748), p. 182, mentions the same; and the definition of the word in Bailey’s Dictionary is, “a small coin made by Henry the Seventh;” but in the reign of that Monarch we do not find mention of any such thing, unless it be possible that the farthing of this reign, in Snelling’s Silver Coins, Plate II. fig. 43, being very minute, might be so nick-named.

I have therefore, Mr. Urban, troubled you with the above, in hopes that some of your Correspondents may have it in their power to inform us from what source the words Dandy and Dandiprat may have originated, and if from a Coin, as above hinted, what it was, and whether it had rise in the reign of King Henry the Seventh, or in that of any other of the Kings of England.

Yours, &c. J. L.

Source: The Gentleman’s Magazine. Vol. LXXXIX, July 1819: p.7-8.