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  • Teddy boy
    Teddy boy
    noun
    a rebellious British youth who, in the 1950s and early 1960s, affected the dress of the reign of Edward VII.
  • teddy boy
    teddy boy
    noun
    (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

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of teddy boy

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

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.

See Examples For:

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

"I reckon Little Rock learned us a lesson," snarled one Teddy boy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then for Governor will you run, Teddy boy, Teddy boy?

From Time Magazine Archive

"It's been a good partnership, Teddy boy," he said.

From The Tidal Wave and Other Stories by Dell, Ethel M. (Ethel May)

Crisp suits, a teddy boy haircut and the voice of an angel; even Madonna couldn’t resist.

From The Guardian Mar. 29, 2019

Yet the styles that fashion critics, including this one, lambasted him for — glam rock, grungy, punk, teddy boy, and uber-skinny styles — are now ubiquitous on the catwalk.

From US News Jan. 26, 2015

Yet the styles that fashion critics, including this one, lambasted him for - glam rock, grungy, punk, teddy boy, and uber-skinny styles - are now ubiquitous on the catwalk.

From Washington Times Jan. 25, 2015

He's also alleged to have worn a teddy boy suit and brothel creepers, although Dixie denies this.

From BBC Dec. 12, 2013

Falstaff Theatr Hafren, Newtown Until 14 September Box office: 01206 573948 Lloyd-Evans sets Verdi's comedy in the present day, with Ford in blazer and slacks, and Pistol as a slicked-back teddy boy.

From The Guardian Sep. 6, 2010

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