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

See Examples For:

jim-dandy jim-dandies

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

"I bet you made a jim-dandy good report," says Ed, taking heart again after this sordid dollars-and-cents talk.

From Ma Pettengill by Wilson, Harry Leon

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

From Hidden Water by Dixon, Maynard

"You're a jim-dandy with the twine, all right," said the seine-master admiringly.

From The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis

"Put these jim-dandies on top with the yaller side up," he commanded.

From Dixie Hart by Harben, Will N. (William Nathaniel)