subs. phr. (old).—A dandy. For synonyms, see DANDY. Also as adj.

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  1753.  The Adventurer, No. 100. The scale, however, consists of eight degrees; Greenhorn, JEMMY, JESSAMY, Smart, Honest Fellow, Joyous Spirit, Buck, and Blood.

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  1772.  G. A. STEVENS, Songs, Comic and Satyrical, ‘The Blood.’

        Maccaronies so neat, pert JEMMIES so sweet,
  With all their effeminate brood.

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  1788.  G. A. STEVENS, The Adventures of a Speculist, i. 24. With ladies when JEMMYS and JESSAMYS mix.

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  1853.  THACKERAY, Barry Lyndon, xiii. 180. This was very different language to that she had been in the habit of hearing from her JEMMY JESSAMY adorers. Ibid., i. 19. My dear young lady readers may know … what a courage and undaunted passion he had. I question whether any of the JEMMY-JESSAMINES of the present day would do half as much in the face of danger.

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  JEMMY AND JESSAMY; subs. phr. (American).—A pair of lovers.—MAITLAND.

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