good-time Charlie

noun

good-time Char·​lie

variants or less commonly good-time Charley

¦⸗ˌ⸗ˈchär|lē,

-ˈchȧ|,

|li

: a carefree and convivial person given to frequent pursuit of fun and amusement

just a good-time Charlie, borrowing two bucks here and five bucks there

—Walter Karig

I couldn't be a good-time Charlie … when I was a kid I was taught not to talk or joke or laugh at the table

—A. J. Liebling

Word History

Etymology

from the name Charlie, Charley, diminutive of Charles

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

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