Cagney
Cagney refers to James Cagney (1899–1986), the American actor known for playing tough-talking gangsters and urban street characters in films like *The Public Enemy* and *White Heat*.
His rapid-fire delivery and combative swagger became iconic: He did his best Cagney impression, snarling "You dirty rat!"—a line Cagney never actually said but is forever associated with him.
Criminal organization member
- tough guyIntimidating, resilient person
- Warner BrosMajor film studio
- 1930sFourth decade, twentieth century
- grapefruitTangy citrus, often halved
Yankee Doodle Dandy · leading man · character actor · film noir · crime drama · wise-cracking · fast-talking · screen presence
Valve controlling liquid flow
- hooferSlang for professional dancer
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- BroadwayManhattan theatrical district
- musicalSung theatrical production
soft-shoe · footwork · showman · entertainer · choreography · rhythm · theatrical · stage
Durable and strong
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- streetwiseShrewd from urban experience
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
tenacious · charismatic · dynamic · intense · explosive · magnetic · brash · cocky
Famous beyond ordinary measure
- classicOf lasting excellence
- Hollywood iconCelebrated film industry figure
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
unforgettable · immortalized · signature style · cultural touchstone · enduring · celebrated · archetypal · definitive
gangster
Criminal organization member
- tough guyIntimidating, resilient person
- Warner BrosMajor film studio
- 1930sFourth decade, twentieth century
grapefruit · Yankee Doodle Dandy · leading man · character actor · film noir · crime drama · wise-cracking · fast-talking · screen presence · charisma
tap
Valve controlling liquid flow
- hooferSlang for professional dancer
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- BroadwayManhattan theatrical district
musical · soft-shoe · footwork · showman · entertainer · choreography · rhythm · theatrical · stage · performance
tough
Durable and strong
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- streetwiseShrewd from urban experience
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
pugnacious · tenacious · charismatic · dynamic · intense · explosive · magnetic · brash · cocky · swagger
legendary
Famous beyond ordinary measure
- classicOf lasting excellence
- Hollywood iconCelebrated film industry figure
- influentialHaving considerable effect
pioneering · unforgettable · immortalized · signature style · cultural touchstone · enduring · celebrated · archetypal · definitive · timeless
Cagneygentleman
Courteous, honorable man
aristocrat · saint · nice guy · Fred Astaire · Cary Grant
CagneyGary Cooper
Henry Fonda · James Stewart · Spencer Tracy · Gregory Peck · understated