jss (02/05/83)
We started with "Swell: one conspicuous or eminent in the world, originally, and still commonly, in the world of fashion, often for achievement; also a person conspicuous for fashionable clothes; a fashion plate. Colloq." This led to the adjective "Swell: of, pertaining to, or charactistic of, a swell; stylish; smartly clothed; ultrafashionable; as, a swell person or neighborhood. Colloq. Also, Tiptop; first-rate; grand; excellent. Slang." All of that from my Merriam-Webster enormous 2nd edition. judith schrier !decvax!brunix!jss