Definition

Noun: A teddy boy is a member of a British youth subculture of the 1950s and early 1960s, characterized by a distinctive style of dress that imitated fashions from the Edwardian era (1901-1910). Teddy boys were often perceived as rebellious and tough.

Usage

The term is used as a countable noun to refer to a male member of this specific historical subculture. * The teddy boy stood on the street corner with his friends, his long jacket and drainpipe trousers marking his style. * In post-war Britain, the teddy boy became a symbol of a new, more visible youth culture.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical or sociological contexts when discussing youth culture, fashion, and social change in mid-20th century Britain.
• It can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to the subculture, such as teddy boy style, teddy boy fashion, or teddy boy culture.

Variants and Related Words

• Ted (n.): An informal, shortened form of "teddy boy."
• Teddy girl (n.): A female counterpart to the teddy boy, who adopted a similar style of dress.

Synonyms

• Rocker (n.): A member of a later, somewhat overlapping youth subculture often associated with motorcycles and rock and roll music. While related, "rocker" is not a direct synonym as it refers to a different, though contemporaneous, group.
• Youth (n.): A general term for a young person, but without the specific cultural and stylistic connotations.

Idioms and Phrases

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the term teddy boy.

Noun

1. a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes