If you think medieval monarchs were all prim and proper, prepare to meet a lineup of the most badass medieval figures whose nicknames sound more like punchlines than regal titles. From blood‑thirsty Vikings to scheming French kings, these leaders wore their monikers like battle‑scarred armor.

Why These Badass Medieval Monarchs Matter

Beyond the colorful epithets lies a tapestry of power struggles, daring escapes, and ruthless politics that shaped entire regions. Their stories prove that a memorable nickname can be both a warning and a badge of honor.

10 Lugaid ‘Son Of A Bitch’ High King Of Ireland

Early Irish chronicles are as reliable as a caffeine‑fueled babysitter, yet they tell us that Lugaid seized the throne at Tara around AD 200. Known as “Mac Con,” which translates to “Son of a Bitch” (or literally “Son of the Hound”), the nickname sprang from a bizarre childhood episode: the infant Lugaid allegedly suckled from the teats of his stepfather Ailill “Nude‑Ear’s” hunting dog.

Growing up into a quarrelsome youth, Lugaid allied with a rebel named Nemed to battle both Nude‑Ear and the High King Art mac Cuinn. After Nemed fell, Lugaid was dispatched to Scotland, only to return later with an army, slay King Art, and claim the crown at the Battle of Mag Mucrama—literally the “Plain of Pig‑Counting.”

He later adopted Art’s son Cormac, ruled for seven years, and was eventually deposed by the ungrateful bastard. Seeking refuge with his stepfather, Lugaid received a brutal bite on the cheek from Nude‑Ear’s foul‑toothed maw. The wound festered for three days, and as Lugaid tried to flee, a warrior caught him and speared him straight through the face.

9 Ragnarr ‘Hairypants’ Chief Of The Vikings

Ragnarr, a mid‑ninth‑century Scandinavian chieftain, earned the fearsome epithet “Loobrok,” which translates to “Hairypants” (sometimes rendered “Hairy Breeches”). Legend claims the moniker arose from a pair of cow‑hide leggings he wore while battling a venomous serpent.

His reign was marked by church‑burning raids and Christian massacres until King Aella of Northumbria captured him and tossed him into a pit of adders—presumably without his protective, fuzzy trousers. Ragnarr’s notorious sons—Ivar “the Boneless” and Sigurd “Snake‑in‑the‑Eye”—later formed the Great Heathen Army and exacted a bloody revenge on Aella.

Some scholars argue Ragnarr is a composite saga hero, but a possible historical seed is Reginheri, a pillager whose fatal bout of diarrhea left his pants matted and, by extension, “hairy.”

8 Ludwig ‘The Leaper’ Count Of Thuringia

In the mid‑11th century, Ludwig the Bearded ruled Thuringia. To set himself apart from his similarly hirsute father, Ludwig Jr. tried to claim the Saxon county palatine, only to discover Frederick already held the title. Undeterred, Ludwig stabbed Frederick, prompting his henchmen to imprison the Count in a tower.

After three years of confinement, his captors grew weary of his constant hopping around the cell and announced his execution. Seizing the moment, Ludwig leapt from the tower into the Saale River, clambered onto a waiting boat, and rode away on his favorite horse—earning him the nickname “der Springer,” the Leaper.Never one to let a good view go to waste, Ludwig later eyed a mountain outside his borders, carted in soil from his own lands, piled it atop the peak, and erected the Wartburg castle—a fortress that still dominates the skyline today.

7 Louis ‘The Universal Spider’ King Of France

While some historians label him “the Prudent” or “the Cunning,” the more vivid nickname for Louis XI was “l’Universelle Aragne”—the Universal Spider—reflecting his talent for weaving intricate webs of intrigue rather than for any penchant for flies.

As Crown Prince, Louis raised armies against his own father, Charles “the Well‑Served,” and even insulted the king’s lover. He later married a twelve‑year‑old princess, a match his father disapproved of. When Charles died in 1461, Louis ascended the throne and swiftly ended a 116‑year war with England.

He then turned his cunning toward Charles “the Bold,” Duke of Burgundy, delegating the fight to the Swiss. A Swiss poleax felled the Duke, turning him from “the Bold” into “the Dead.” The rest of Louis’s reign saw economic reforms, consultations with astrologers, and a legacy that lives on in the works of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, and Victor Hugo.

6 Vsevolod ‘The Big Nest’ Grand Prince Of Vladimir

Vsevolod was born into the sprawling family of Yuri “Long‑Arms,” who already had ten heirs. His mother Helene whisked him away to Constantinople after Yuri’s death, where he spent his youth amid Byzantine splendor.

At sixteen, Vsevolod married the Ossetian princess Maria Shvarnovna. His nickname “Balshoe Gniezdo” (Big Nest) references the fourteen children he later sired with Maria. Three years into the marriage, Vsevolod returned to Kiev, outmaneuvered his brothers, and reclaimed his father’s realm.

Kidnapped shortly thereafter, he was ransomed by his elder brother Mikhalko, who then died, leaving Vsevolod the city of Vladimir. He responded by crushing dissent, terrorizing the nobility, pillaging neighboring lands, and cementing alliances through the marriages of his many daughters. He also proclaimed that Vladimir’s rulers would henceforth be titled Grand Princes, a testament to his ambition and prolific progeny.

5 Wladyslaw ‘Spindleshanks’ Duke Of Poland

The moniker “Laskonogi,” or “Spindleshanks,” alludes to Wladyslaw III’s unusually long, thin legs. He was the fifth son of Duke Mieszko “the Old” of Poland and was exiled early by a jealous half‑brother. By 1202, a brutal family feud had eliminated his four older brothers and his father, leaving the throne within his reach.

Wladyslaw’s reign lasted a mere four years before disgruntled nobles rebelled and ousted him. He then spent the rest of his life locked in a perpetual struggle against archbishops, relatives, and rival warlords. His chief adversary was his nephew, Wladyslaw “the Spitter,” and the two were so consumed by mutual hatred that they often ignored external threats to focus on killing each other.

In his late sixties, he briefly reclaimed the dukedom, only to be driven out again two years later. The final chapter of his life saw him indulging in prostitution, and when he finally tried to seduce a woman, she turned the tables and killed him.

4 Alfonso ‘The Slobberer’ King Of Leon

Alfonso IX ascended the throne of León and Galicia in 1188, earning the nickname “El Baboso” (The Slobberer) for his habit of spitting during fits of rage. His kingdom was squeezed between the powerful Castile and the Moorish realms, prompting him to lead drool‑soaked invasions against both.

His marital life was equally tumultuous. After an annulment of his marriage to his first cousin Theresa of Portugal by a papal legate, he married another cousin, Berengaria of Castile. Pope Celestine III intervened, forcing him back to Theresa, yet Alfonso persisted, marrying and divorcing with the same reckless abandon.

Beyond the chaos, Alfonso founded Spain’s first university at Salamanca and convened the Cortes Generales—one of Europe’s earliest parliaments. His son Ferdinand later became king of Castile and León, paving the way toward a united Spain.

3 Olaf ‘Little Snack’ King Of The Isles

Vikings loved giving their most imposing leaders ludicrous monikers, and Olaf, who ruled the Hebrides and the Isle of Man in the mid‑12th century, was no exception. Known as “Bitlingr” (Morsel) or “Kliningr” (Bread and Butter), his nickname implied a bite‑sized stature despite his formidable presence.

After a brother named Lagman castrated another sibling, Olaf sought refuge in England while Lagman vanished after 1100. Seizing the opportunity, Olaf returned to his islands, which were under Orcadian attack, and, with the help of his son‑in‑law Somerled, repelled the invaders and assembled a fleet so powerful that no one dared challenge him.

Olaf also maintained a sizeable harem and fathered many children. After four decades of iron‑fisted rule, his own nephews conspired to kill him. His son Godred avenged the murder by blinding two of the conspirators and slaying the third.

2 –tyname’ Emperor Of Byzantium

Constantine V earned the derisive nickname “Copronymous,” meaning “Dung‑Named,” after rivals spread a rumor that the infant emperor soiled his baptismal font. He ruled during a period of external pressure from Arabs and Bulgarians and internal strife between iconodules (image worshippers) and iconoclasts (image destroyers).

An avowed iconoclast, Constantine defeated a coup led by his brother‑in‑law Artabasdos, blinding the usurper and his children. He then launched a ruthless campaign: destroying religious icons, lynching abbots, and forcing rebellious monks to marry nuns. Contemporary chroniclers described him as a “pernicious, crazed, bloodthirsty, and most savage beast.”

Despite the turmoil, Constantine achieved military successes, invading Syria, crushing the Arab navy, and slaughtering the Bulgarians. He died in 775 from swollen legs, a demise his enemies claimed was divine retribution. Later, iconodule opponents exhumed his remains and tossed them into the sea.

1 Ivaylo ‘The Cabbage’ Tzar Of Bulgaria

In 13th‑century Bulgaria, swineherd Ivaylo rose against a backdrop of disease, famine, and relentless Mongol raids. In 1277, he rallied a peasant army and challenged the complacent nobility. Nobles derided him with nicknames like “Bardovka” (Radish) and “Lahanas” (Cabbage).

Ivaylo’s boldness paid off: he personally slew the chariot‑riding tzar, seized the crown, and married the queen. He ruled for a single year, during which Byzantine forces attempted to dethrone him, but he outmaneuvered their armies.Eventually, a royal relative rallied the salad‑hating nobles, forcing Ivaylo to flee to his former enemies—the Mongols. Unwilling to aid a man named after a vegetable, the Mongols assassinated him two years later. Nevertheless, he is remembered for leading one of the earliest popular uprisings in medieval Europe.

The 10 most unflattering nicknames given to royals often survive the ages, becoming a quirky footnote in the historical record. While a flattering epithet can turn a modest ruler into a legend, a cringe‑worthy sobriquet can forever color a monarch’s legacy with a dash of embarrassment.

10 Most Unflattering Nicknames

10 Halfdan the Bad Entertainer

Halfdan, officially known as Halfdan Eysteinsson of Uppsala, inherited the Norwegian throne from his father, King Eystein. Though contemporary chronicles praise him as a fierce warrior and a capable loot‑gatherer, his lasting reputation is oddly tied to hospitality rather than heroics. The nickname “Bad Entertainer” stems from tales that, while generous with land and treasure, he was notoriously stingy with food and drink whenever his warriors visited his hall. The moral? Never skimp on the ale and biscuits, lest your name be remembered for a poor party.

One might expect a moniker like “Halfdan the Mighty Pillager,” yet the historical record chose a less glorious label, suggesting that even the toughest king could be undone by a failure to keep his guests well‑fed. This quirky epithet reminds us that royal reputation often hinges on the smallest gestures.

9 Bernard the Hairy Footed

Bernard Plantapilosa, a French noble who ruled Auvergne from 1872 until his death in 1886, also held the title of Count of Autun for a brief five‑year stint before being ousted. The nickname “Hairy Footed” is a literal translation of his surname—plantapilosa—derived from Latin where “planta” means sole of the foot and “pilosa” denotes hair. Some historians even speculate that the moniker hints at a werewolf lineage, though the most plausible explanation is simply that his feet were unusually furred.

Whether the nickname arose from literal foot hair or a whimsical rumor, it illustrates how personal quirks—real or imagined—could become the defining tag for a noble’s legacy.

8 Ivalyo the Cabbage

King Ivalyo of Bulgaria, who seized the throne in 1278 after a daring peasant uprising, earned the nickname “the Cabbage.” Despite a meteoric rise—from humble farmer to monarch—his reign was marked by relentless warfare against both the Tatars and the Byzantines. After marrying the widowed Queen Mary, Ivalyo led his peasant army to numerous victories, yet his moniker references his low‑born origins, likening him to a common vegetable rather than a regal figure.

The epithet underscores how even battlefield brilliance could be eclipsed by a ruler’s socioeconomic background, turning a celebrated leader into a humble, cabbage‑loving figure in the annals of history.

7 Alfonso the Slobberer

Alfonso IX of León, son of Ferdinand II, ruled from 1188 to 1230 and is remembered for modernizing his realm—founding the first parliamentary body in Western Europe, the Cortes de León, and establishing the University of Salamanca in 1212. Militarily, he secured victories against Extremadura and even attempted to rescue the defeated Alfonso VIII of Castile. Yet, despite these achievements, chroniclers labeled him “the Slobberer” because he was prone to violent outbursts that caused his mouth to foam, a vivid image that stuck in popular memory.

His scholarly and military contributions were substantial, but the vivid, unflattering nickname illustrates how a single personal habit can dominate a ruler’s historical portrait.

6 Justinian the Slit‑Nosed

Justinian II, who ruled the Byzantine Empire in two turbulent periods (685‑695 and 705‑711), earned the moniker “Slit‑Nosed” after a rival general, Leontius, ordered his nose to be cut to disqualify him from the throne—an ancient rule that a ruler could not bear a physical deformity. After being overthrown, Justinian returned to power and, in a grim twist, had his rival’s nose removed as retribution. His reign was marked by heavy taxation and brutal persecution of Slavic populations, as well as religious intolerance toward the Paulicians.

The nickname, while graphic, is arguably a mercy compared to his cruel policies, and it survived as a stark reminder of the lengths to which power struggles could scar a ruler’s legacy.

10 Wild Adventures Of Former Royals

5 Fruela the Leprous

Fruela II, the third king of León, reigned for a brief twelve‑month stretch from 924 to 925 before succumbing to natural causes. Though his epithet “the Leprous” suggests a death by disease, records indicate he likely died of unrelated natural ailments, with his leprosy merely a notable, albeit secondary, condition. His short rule left little time for significant reforms; instead, his reign is chiefly remembered for a conflict with discontented nobles who opposed his authority.

The label “Leprous” persisted because it was the most striking detail of his short tenure, highlighting how a single affliction can eclipse any political achievements a monarch might have made.

4 Archibald the Loser

Archibald Douglas, the 4th Earl of Douglas, inherited the grim sobriquet “the Tyneman,” an archaic Scottish term translating to “Loser.” Son of Archibald the Grim, he fought in major battles such as Homildon Hill, Shrewsbury, and Verneuil, but each time found himself on the losing side. His battlefield misfortunes were literal as well—he lost an eye at Homildon and a testicle at Shrewsbury—fueling the perception that he was perpetually “losing” parts of himself.

His ultimate defeat at the Battle of Verneuil in 1424, where he perished, cemented the nickname. Archibald’s story illustrates how a series of unfortunate outcomes can forge an enduring, unflattering epithet.

3 Eystein the Fart

Eystein, king of Romerike in Norway from 736 to 810, inherited a nickname that translates from Old Norse as “The Swift,” but folk lore twisted it into “the Fart” to emphasize his rapid, wind‑like assaults. A classic Viking, he spent his life pillaging and conquering, with enemies allegedly too preoccupied with holding their noses to mount a defense. Legend says his death came when the sorcerer‑king of Varna, Skjold, used magic to push him overboard, sealing his fate with a splash of mythic irony.

The nickname, whether rooted in literal flatulence or a metaphor for speed, showcases how even fearsome leaders could be remembered for a humorous, albeit unflattering, moniker.

2 Joan the Lame

Joan, consort of French King Philip VI, acted as regent during his military campaigns in the Hundred Years’ War. A learned patron of education, she championed scholarly pursuits, yet her physical disability earned her the French nickname “la male royne boiteuse” – “the lame male queen.” This epithet served as a double‑edged insult, mocking both her mobility impairment and her perceived dominance over her husband’s rule.

She succumbed to the plague in September 1348, but her story endures as a stark reminder of medieval sexism and ableism, where a ruler’s accomplishments could be eclipsed by body‑shaming.

1 Constantine the Dung‑Named

Constantine V, Byzantine emperor from 741 to 775, earned the grotesque nickname “the Dung‑Named” after rumors spread that, as an infant, he defecated in the baptismal font. The epithet, derived from the Greek “Kopronymos,” meaning “named in dung,” reflected the deep resentment of contemporaries who viewed his reign of religious persecution and iconoclasm as morally filthy. He ordered the destruction of monasteries, burned relics, and imposed brutal punishments on dissenters, further cementing his reputation as a tyrant.

Whether the story of the infantile mishap is factual or merely propaganda, the nickname endures as an apt metaphor for a ruler whose policies were, in the eyes of many, downright “crappy.”

About The Author: I am a freelance writer from Dundee, who also makes short films under the name Wardlaw Films.

Abraham Lincoln developed a reputation for being a politician with integrity, honor, and ethics, which is why he was nicknamed Honest Abe. He was also called The Great Emancipator, for his role in ending slavery. Another example: John F. Kennedy was known simply as JFK, after the initials in his name. It was basic, but instantly recognizable and memorable.

The point is that, even when you are President of the United States, you don’t always get addressed with the esteem that your position should include. Sure, some nicknames are meant to be jovial, even loving, but plenty of others are belittling or just plain weird.

We’ve all heard of Tricky Dick and The Gipper, but here are the stories behind 10 other bizarre presidential nicknames.

10. The Last Cocked Hat

Fashion can be a fickle mistress, even when you are the commander-in-chief. That’s the lesson that James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, learned when he became known as “the Last Cocked Hat.” 

This moniker referenced Monroe’s outdated sartorial choices. Even though he was in office during the 1820s, he still dressed in the manner common during the American Revolution: knee-breeches, white, powdered wigs, and the tricorn hat. The presidents who followed him adopted more modern fashion choices, which is why Monroe was called “the last cocked hat.”

This nickname followed him around for the rest of his life and, although we don’t know how Monroe felt about it, we can at least say that the epithet was still an affectionate one and was never intended to be used in a derogatory manner, which is definitely not the case for all the entries on this list. Speaking of which…

9. Ten-Cent Jimmy

“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”

This little gaffe from George W. Bush taught him that when you are President of the United States, everything you say is scrutinized and your political opponents are more than happy to criticize you whenever you put your foot in your mouth. This is especially true during an election when just one flub could cost you the race, as James Buchanan almost found out to his own detriment.

During the 1856 presidential election, Democratic Party candidate James Buchanan drew the ire of the working classes when he said that he thought that ten cents a day represented a fair wage for manual laborers. The Republicans pounced on the opportunity and mockingly referred to Buchanan as “Ten-Cent Jimmy,” a nickname that followed him at rallies throughout the election campaign.

This could have cost Buchanan the election, but he played the slavery card, claiming that each state should decide on its own if slavery should be outlawed or not, whereas his Republican opponent, John C. Frémont, wanted the practice abolished in the entire country. This secured Buchanan the southern vote and won him the election, despite his “Ten-Cent Jimmy” gaffe.

8. Uncle Jumbo

There were quite a few presidents who were well-known for their voracious appetites and prodigious girths. One of them was Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, best remembered for being the only one in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms. In fact, weighing between 260 and 280 pounds during his political career, Cleveland was the second-heaviest US President in history, behind only William Taft. (But, more on him later.)

It is no surprise, then, that Cleveland had gained the moniker “Uncle Jumbo.” However, it seems that the nickname at least came from a place of affection, starting with his nieces and nephews and then extending to his friends and family. Cleveland embraced the name and used it to paint this picture of himself as the friendly, caring uncle, which resonated with the voters and helped him get elected.

7. The Human Iceberg

“The Human Iceberg” sounds like a nickname you would give to an NFL player, or maybe a supervillain, but instead it went to the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison.

Allegedly, this sobriquet was due to his private character, which was frigid, quiet, and stiff, in stark contrast to his lively and engaging public persona. Put Harrison in front of a crowd of 30,000 and he would have no problem capturing and captivating their attention, but place him in a room with just a handful of people and he would struggle to string words together for longer than two minutes.

Critics of Harrison believed the “human iceberg” moniker also suited his presidency since he slowly lumbered through it without any events of note.

6. Big Lub

As we previously mentioned, Grover Cleveland was the second-heaviest president after William Howard Taft, who weighed up to 350 pounds during his time in office. Nowadays, Taft is most famous for being so fat that he once got stuck inside the bathtub of the White House, although that story is likely an urban legend that doesn’t really hold water.

Even so, it is true that Taft was mocked in his time for his size and appetite, often being referred to as “Big Lub.” While you may say that that didn’t sound worse than “Uncle Jumbo,” it was the maliciousness behind the words that made the difference. While “Uncle Jumbo” was a term of endearment for Cleveland from his family, “Big Lub” was a nickname that Taft picked up during his school years and it haunted him all his life, even when he became President of the United States.

At least his wife Nellie had a more affectionate moniker for the portly president. She called him “Sleeping Beauty” because Taft often nodded off at parties.

5. Uncle Corn Pone

While we are discussing hurtful nicknames, we have to include “Uncle Corn Pone,” a moniker reserved for the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. In this case, “corn pone” refers to a rural, unsophisticated person, thus ridiculing LBJ’s southern roots since he was born in Texas. 

But the most upsetting thing about the nickname was who came up with it – none other than the Kennedys. While Johnson served as vice president, JFK and his brothers mocked him by calling him either “Uncle Corn Pone” or “Rufus Corn Pone.” But perhaps even more hurtful was their name for LBJ’s wife, Lady Bird Johnson, whom they referred to as “Uncle Corn Pone’s little pork chop.”

4. The Madman from Massachusetts

Again, the “Madman from Massachusetts” sounds like the kind of nickname that you would use for someone making their way to the ring at Wrestlemania, but instead, it was the moniker given to the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams. 

What did Adams do that got him branded as a madman? Well, he dared question the value of slavery. Initially, Adams deemed slavery immoral, but necessary in order to continue the Union. As the years went on, he blossomed into a full-blown abolitionist who believed that either the South would abolish slavery, or there would be civil war.

As you might imagine, such ideas earned him plenty of enemies, especially south of the Mason-Dixon Line. He narrowly avoided an official motion to be censured for his antislavery agitation back in 1842, when he was still a member of the House of Representatives. He garnered plenty of snubs and even threats on his life for his actions so, in retrospect, being called the “Madman from Massachusetts” was far from the worst thing he had to endure.

3. The Sphinx

Weirdly enough, there were two American presidents who were called “The Sphinx.” The first one is pretty straightforward. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was renowned as a man of few words, so he earned quite a few nicknames that referenced his taciturn demeanor – Silent Cal, Cautious Cal, and, strangest of all, the Sphinx of the Potomac.

The story behind the second nickname is a bit more interesting and it concerns Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only American president to serve three terms, even though he actually won four. The nickname actually has to do with his third, elusive presidential term. In 1939, FDR appeared ready to hang up his boots once his second term would end in 1940, following the presidential tradition of retiring after two turns as commander-in-chief. However, once World War II broke out, there was a lot of speculation that Roosevelt might run for a third term to guide the country through this crisis.

On this issue, FDR kept his cards close to his vest and said very little in the lead-up to the election. This prompted several newspapers to publish cartoons depicting Roosevelt as the Great Sphinx of Giza, unwilling to share the answer to the “third term question” with anyone else.

Then, on the evening of December 9, 1939, FDR attended the Gridiron Club’s winter dinner as the guest of honor. It included Washington journalists doing skits and poking fun at politicians, and the highlight of the night involved them bringing out an 8-foot-tall statue out of papier-mâché, with Roosevelt as the Sphinx. FDR loved it so much that he asked to keep it after the night was over, and it still sits at a place of honor inside the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

2. His Fraudulency, “Rutherfraud” B. Hayes

We have another twofer here, except this one involves two nicknames for the same president instead of the other way around.

When Rutherford B. Hayes became the 19th President of the United States, he did so under a cloud of controversy. The 1876 election was fraught with dissension because Hayes’s opponent, Samuel J. Tilden, actually won the popular vote. He was leading in the electoral vote, as well, but the race was so close in three states that both parties claimed the win. A special commission was set up by Congress to determine the winner and they declared the election in favor of Hayes, 185 electoral votes to 184.

After Hayes took office, his fiercest critics accused him of striking a “corrupt bargain” to win the presidency and gave him two nicknames to remind him of his undeserving win: “His Fraudulency” and “Rutherfraud B. Hayes.”

1. The Dude President

Without a doubt, the coolest presidential nickname goes to Chester A. Arthur, who was known as “The Dude President.” It’s a little weird how a man who constantly ranks among the most forgettable presidents got such a snazzy sobriquet, but it makes sense since the word had a slightly different meaning back then. 

Arthur didn’t become known as “The Dude” because he put a rug in the Oval Office that really tied the room together. Instead, he gained it due to his love of fashion, fripperies, and the finer things in life. Back then, a “dude” basically meant a “dandy” – a young man completely devoted to the latest styles and fads. 

And Chester A. Arthur was one such man. Tales of his expensive habits became common during his stay in office. He spent over $30,000 in 1880 money just to redecorate the White House and make it more glamorous for his parties. He had a wardrobe full of silk top hats and expensive clothes and shoes imported from Europe that would put any contemporary heiress or fashionista to shame.

Arthur also wasn’t exactly what you would call a workaholic. He was definitely a man who cherished his free time. Unsurprisingly, the “dude” nickname was used derogatorily in his own time, but Arthur didn’t seem to mind too much because he understood the golden rule…the Dude abides.