E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Macaro’ni.
A coxcomb (Italian, un maceheróne). The word is derived from the Macaroni Club, instituted by a set of flashy men who had travelled in Italy, and introduced Italian maccheroni at Almack’s subscription table. The Macaronies were the most exquisite fops that ever disgraced the name of man; vicious, insolent, fond of gambling, drinking, and duelling, they were (about 1773) the curse of Vauxhall Gardens.
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“We are indebted to the Macaronies for only two things: the one is the introduction of that excellent dish … macaroni, and the other is the invention of that useful slang word ‘bore’ (boar), which originally meant any opponent of dandyism.”—Cassell’s Magazine: London Legends.
An American regiment raised in Maryland during the War of Independence, was called The Macaronies from its showy uniform.
An American regiment raised in Maryland during the War of Independence, was called The Macaronies from its showy uniform.
