Teddy boy

American  

noun

(often lowercase)

1. a rebellious British youth who, in the 1950s and early 1960s, affected the dress of the reign of Edward VII.

---

teddy boy British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: ted.  (in Britain, esp in the mid-1950s) one of a cult of youths who wore mock Edwardian fashions, such as tight narrow trousers, pointed shoes, and long sideboards

2. any tough or delinquent youth

---

Etymology

Origin of teddy boy

C20: from Teddy, from Edward, referring to the Edwardian dress

Example Sentences

He’s a man of stealth and taste, a smooth talker out of 1960s London who dresses like a Teddy boy and seduces with buttery brashness.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2018

In 1972 Mr. McLaren and Ms. Westwood took over a store on the King’s Road in Chelsea called Let It Rock and began selling hipster Teddy boy fashions.

From New York Times • Apr. 8, 2010

A Teddy boy showed up for the pre-induction physical wearing a truss borrowed from a friend.

From Time Magazine Archive

And Eddie's aides were thinking of inviting the voters to sing along with them to the tune of Billy Boy: Would you like to run for Mayor, Teddy boy, Teddy boy?

From Time Magazine Archive

"They probably will, Teddy boy," his father replied.

From The Curlytops and Their Pets or Uncle Toby's Strange Collection by Greene, Julia