fancy man
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Synonym of ponce (“a pimp hired by a prostitute”).
Register: dated, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A man kept by a lady for secret services.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “fancy man” mean?
Synonym of ponce (“a pimp hired by a prostitute”).
Is “fancy man” formal or informal?
fancy man is generally dated, slang.