# Origin and Spelling of Jim-Dandy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-and-spelling-of-jim-dandy/18874>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 8, 2000, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-and-spelling-of-jim-dandy/18874 "2000-05-08T04:01:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Steve-o](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve-o)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2000, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-and-spelling-of-jim-dandy/18874/1 "2000-05-08T04:01:38Z")

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I use “Jim-dandy” in my everyday speech. Don’t ask me why, I just like it. I was wondering though, from where did this phrase / term come? Also, how should you spell it? Is it “jim dandy”, “Jim dandy”, “jim-dandy”, “Jim-dandy”, or “Jim Dandy” (or some other spelling)? I am assuming that at least the first word is a person’s name, and should be capitalized, but is “Dandy” Jim’s last name, or just the word “dandy”?

Anyway, any help would be Jim-dandy. 😃

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**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2000, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-and-spelling-of-jim-dandy/18874/2 "2000-05-08T07:04:18Z")

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The correct spelling is “jim-dandy”. Even [Take our Word for it](http://www.takeourword.com/et_h-j.html#jimd) has to admit its ignorance as to the eytmology. The Meriam-Wesbster dictionary says it dates from 1887.