action man

action man
n
British
a devotee of military exercises or strenu-ous physical activities, or someone who makes a show of (relentless) energy. The term is applied derisively, originally by members of the armed forces to unpopu-lar or excessively gung-ho colleagues, and now by extension to anyone who is showily or mindlessly macho. The satiri-cal magazine Private Eye referred to Prince Andrew by this name in 1986 and 1987. The origin of this piece of sarcasm is the 'Action Man' doll - a poseable com-mando scale model in full kit sold to chil-dren in Britain since the 1960s.
► 'Right little action man in' 'e? 'E simply wants to be prepared when the east wind blows 'ot.' (Minder, British TV series, 1988)

Contemporary slang . 2014.

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