It boy, n. colloq. (orig. and chiefly U.S.).
Brit. /ˈɪt bɔɪ/, U.S. /ˈɪt ˌbɔɪ/
Forms: 19– It Boy, 19– It boy, 19– it boy
[‹ it pron. + boy n.1 and int., after It girl n.]
Originally: a sexually attractive man, esp. a film star (cf. it pron. 1g); (now also) a man who is very famous, fashionable, or successful at a particular time.
| 1929 Chicago Daily Tribune 23 Dec. 32/2 (advt.) The ‘It’ boy of the screen with that strange power over women! 1936 Reno (Nevada) Evening Gaz. 6 Apr. 4/3 No three men..have had such a devastating way with the ladies. The It Boys with a bang! 1993 Variety (Nexis) 22 Nov. 21 A few years ago, when producers were the It-Boys of development. 1996 New Yorker 19 Aug. 74/3 White is both skeptical and amused about being fashions' [sic] imminent It Boy. 2002 Time Out N.Y. 26 Dec. 85/2 Screenwriting It boy Charlie Kaufmann needn't start watching his back just yet. |