Today I found "sugar daddy" from the article I read, wondered what could be synonyms at the dictionary.com. After that I am a bit confused the meanings: financial provider, amoroso, cavaliere servente, gigolo, Robin Hood, Santa Claus - is it similar meaning of the "sugar daddy?" If not, would you please tell me any other synonyms? Your help will be very appreciated.
ANSWER:
Firstly, a synonym is supposed to be a word or expression that means the same or nearly the same thing as the sense of another word or expression. There are few true synonyms. It is really a misnomer.
The definition that "Dictionary.com" gives is on the mark. However, the synonyms you listed are not. "Sugar daddy" arrived in writing in 1926. The given example of usage, "The aspiring young actress and the sugar daddy are a classic combination in Hollywood," is popular. The term 'sugar' in the expression alludes to the sweetening role of gifts and 'daddy' to the age difference between the pair.
In American English, the two expressions coming closest to a similar meaning are: Santa Claus, as in "He is her Santa Claus," which implies that he is much older and gives her toys; also meal ticket, as in "He is her meal ticket," which implies he financially sustains her, but does not necessarily imply an older person doing the giving.
ANYWAY, it is considered a slang expression along with the more derogatory term "toyboy." The Jackson Five (Michael Jackson) used the expression sugar daddy in a 1971 song, however, it referred to a younger boy giving gifts to his girfriend who was interested in someone else. There is also a very popular American chewy candy having the name "Sugar Daddy."
Interestingly, if sugar daddy should have an antonym, it would perhaps be gold digger.
Remember dictionaries of independent sources will differ. Some are better than others as are most things in life. I prefer Webster's, American Heritage, and Oxford. "Ambiguous Bill"
