| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Jack-a-Dandy. | | |
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A term of endearment for a smart, bright little fellow; a Jemmy Jessamy. | 1 |
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| “Smart she is, and handy, O! |
| Sweet as sugar-candy, O! … |
| And I’m her Jack-a-dandy, O!” | |
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Jack - a - dandy. Slang for brandy. Dandy rhymes with brandy. (See CHIVY.) | 2 |
 In Ireland “dandy” means whisky: but whisky = eau de vie; and eau de vie is brandy. | 3 |
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“Dimidium cyathi vero apud Methropolit nos Herbernicos dicitur Dandy.”—Blackwood’s Magazine, May, 1838 (Father Tom and the Pope). |
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