dandy [L18th] Dandies emerged in the late 18th century. The word is perhaps a shortened form of Jack-a-dandy, a 17th-century term for a conceited fellow, where dandy is a pet form of the name Andrew. The original dandies, such as Beau Brummel, were not flamboyant, but understated and elegant. They reacted against the wigs and knee breeches of an older generation, and pioneered the forerunner of the business suit. Dandy quickly became a term of approval for anything of high quality, a use which continues in US expressions such as fine and dandy. See also dude.