Dandy facts for kids
A dandy is a man who cares a lot about how he looks and dresses. He wants to be very elegant and fashionable. Dandies often pay close attention to their manners, how they stand, move, and speak. They like to show off their unique style. This way of living is called dandyism. The word 'Dandy' originally came from the name 'Andrew'. A woman who acts like a dandy is called a dandizette.
What is a Dandy?
The word dandy first appeared in a Scottish poem around 1780. It described people who were very stylish.
I've heard my granny crack
O' sixty twa years back
When there were sic a stock of Dandies O.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in the United States and Great Britain, dandies were often men from middle-class families. They used their style and manners to try and fit in with people from high society.
Famous Dandies in History
One of the most famous dandies was Beau Brummell. He lived during the time of King George IV in England. Brummell was known for his perfect style and was even a friend of the Prince of Wales (who later became King George IV).
Other well-known dandies include the poet Lord Byron and the writer Oscar Wilde. Later examples include the American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler and the French composer Maurice Ravel. In books, a famous dandy character is The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Dandies Today
Today, in the 21st century, the word dandy is sometimes used in a fun way. People might say something is "dandy" to mean it is "fine" or "great."
Images for kids
-
A funny drawing of Beau Brummell by Richard Dighton (1805).
-
A Victorian gentleman from the 1840s.
-
Joachim Murat, the French King of Naples, was called the "Dandy King" because he always looked so neat.
-
A young man's French tailcoat from the 1790s, now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
-
A portrait of Robert de Montesquiou (1855–1921) by Giovanni Boldini.
-
A drawing from 1819 showing a Dandizette.
See also
In Spanish: Dandi para niños
