jim-dandy

American  

[jim-dan-dee] / ˈdʒɪmˈdæn di /

adjective

1. of superior quality; excellent.

   a jim-dandy sports car.

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noun

jim-dandies plural

1. something of superior quality or that is an excellent example of its kind.

   The new infirmary is a real jim-dandy.

Usage

What does jim-dandy mean? Jim-dandy is an old-timey way to call someone or something great. It’s most commonly used as an adjective, as in That pie was jim-dandy! But it can also be used as a noun, as in That pie was a jim-dandy! The adjective dandy by itself, meaning “excellent” or “first-rate,” is a close synonym. Jim-dandy is also sometimes spelled jim dandy (without the hyphen). The origin of the term isn’t known, but it may be based on the title of an 1840s’ minstrel song about a Black character named “Dandy Jim” that contains racist language and stereotypes.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• jim-dandies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jim-dandy

1875–80; special use of Jim (proper name) + dandy ( def. )

Example Sentences

I finished up with a jim-dandy meal at Cafe Classico and a drink at the Radisson Lackawanna, the derelict train station in “That Championship Season” that has been resurrected as a spiffy hotel.

From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2010

I saw right away that Grandpa’s idea was a jim-dandy, but there was one thing that was bothering me.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

She was a jim-dandy woman—but she was different.

From Jim Waring of Sonora-Town Tang of Life by Knibbs, Henry Herbert

“That feller was a jim-dandy scrapper,” he said, smiling magnanimously, “but I downed ’im, all right.

From Hidden Water by Dixon, Maynard

What is this jim-dandy plan of yours, Bluff?

From The Outdoor Chums on the Lake Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island by Allen, Quincy