Bobby dazzler?
Posted by Gary Martin on February 27, 2006
In Reply to: Bobby dazzler? posted by Bruce Kahl on February 27, 2006
: : Bobby dazzler? Exactly what does it mean & where does it come from?
: See link below for a possible lead for you.
That link points to a reference to a 1977 TV series. Bobby dazzler is much older than that. It means 'a striking or exciting person, especially in their dress'. I believe it to be from the northen counties of England. It is certainly still used here in Yorkshire. The OED has:
"1866 - Morgan-rattlers... In Cornwall the word is frequently applied to things that are particularly striking or excellent of their kind. What a Lancashire man would sometimes call a 'regular bobby-dazzler', a Cornishman would call a 'regular morgan-rattler'."
Morgan rattler is a new one on me though. I visit Cornwall frequently and I've never heard it there, or anywhere.
- Morgan Rattler Bob 27/February/06