Definition

Proper noun 1. A character archetype: Refers to an excessively polite, well-mannered, and immaculately dressed young boy, often perceived as being unnaturally refined or genteel for his age. 2. A cultural reference: Denotes a person, especially a boy, whose behavior or appearance is reminiscent of the titular character from Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1886 novel Little Lord Fauntleroy, characterized by courtesy, elaborate clothing, and a certain old-fashioned formality.

Usage Examples

• As a proper noun (character archetype):
  • With his perfect manners and velvet suit, the child was a veritable Little Lord Fauntleroy.
  • He scolded his son for acting like a Little Lord Fauntleroy instead of playing roughly with the other boys.
• As a descriptive reference:
  • The politician's Little Lord Fauntleroy persona appealed to some voters but seemed out of touch to others.
  • She dressed her nephew in such fine clothes that he looked like Little Lord Fauntleroy himself.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used pejoratively or with mild disapproval to suggest that a boy is spoiled, pretentious, or not robust and active in the way typically expected.
• It can be applied metaphorically to an adult male whose fastidiousness or formality seems childish or affected.
  • The new manager, with his insistence on archaic protocols, was called a Little Lord Fauntleroy behind his back.

Variants and Related Words

• Fauntleroy (noun): A shortened, sometimes more direct form used as a synonym.
  • Stop being such a Fauntleroy and get your hands dirty.
• Lord Fauntleroy suit (noun phrase): A specific style of boy's clothing popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring a velvet jacket, a broad lace or ruffled collar, and often knee-length trousers, inspired by the character's attire.

Synonyms

• Dandy (though this typically refers to an adult man)
• Fop
• Milksop (archaic)
• Mollycoddle
• Pretty boy (colloquial)

Related Idioms & Phrases

• To play the Little Lord Fauntleroy: To affect the manners or style of the archetype.
  • For the formal tea party, he knew he had to play the Little Lord Fauntleroy for his grandmother's sake.

Noun

1. an excessively polite and well-dressed boy