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Teddy boy
Teddy boynouna rebellious British youth who, in the 1950s and early 1960s, affected the dress of the reign of Edward VII.
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teddy boy
teddy boynoun(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
Americannoun
noun
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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
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any tough or delinquent youth
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
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Then for Governor will you run, Teddy boy, Teddy boy?
From Time Magazine Archive
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"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
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.