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jack-a-dandy

American  
[jak-uh-dan-dee] / ˌdʒæk əˈdæn di /

noun

Older Use.

plural

jack-a-dandies

  1. dandy.

Other Word Forms

  • jack-a-dandyism noun

Etymology

Origin of jack-a-dandy

First recorded in 1625–35; Jack ( def. ) + a 3 ( def. ) + dandy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For this it would argue the conceit of a jack-a-dandy to imagine, much more to write such a thing.

From Red Axe by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

Missus me no missus, Mr. Titmouse, but pay me my rent, you jack-a-dandy!

From Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 1. by Warren, Samuel

Pit my sons, My three brave sons, against these popinjays, These tufted jack-a-dandy featherheads, And on the issue let thy hand depend!

From The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.