Poodle Faker

Posted by Bruce Kahl on May 31, 2003

In Reply to: Poodle Faker posted by Nolan Bond on May 30, 2003

: I love colorful words and phrases but the meaning of the term "poodle faker" has eluded me.

: Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

: Nolan

"Poodle" was, indeed, slang for a woman at the beginning of this century, found most notably in the British slang term "poodle-faker." A "poodle-faker" was (and still is, I suppose) a man who cultivates the attention and affection of wealthy women for social or financial advantage -- in other words, a gigolo. The phrase refers to the attempts of such men to insinuate themselves into a lady's company in the role of a clinging "lap dog," or favorite.