good old boy

plural good old boys · alternative good ol' boy · alternative good ole boy

1. A male friend, especially a childhood friend; a man with an established network of friends who assist one another in social and business situations; a decent, dependable fellow.

   Tell these fellows to say to their Sultan that he is a good old boy, and that we thank him very much.

   1910, H. Rider Haggard, chapter 7, in Queen Sheba's Ring

   1 more example

   "Billie, what kind of a lad is that young Coke up at Washurst?" He addressed an old college friend. . . . "He's one of those Ohio Cokes—regular thing—father millionaire—used to be a barber—good old boy."

   1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 5, in Active Service

   Synonyms: buddy, pal, country boy

2. A white man who embodies the culture stereotypically associated with the Southern US, such as bias against nonwhite people, and other conservative (usually Christian) attitudes.

   "White Lightning" concerns a good old boy named Gator McKluskey (Burt Reynolds) who is serving time in the Arkansas pen for messing around with illegal liquor.

   1973, "Quick Cuts" (film review), Time, 24 Sep.

   1 more example

   The Texas Department of "Corrections" is the largest state prison system in this country, with more than 20 separate units housing upwards of 35,000 prisoners. The system is run by a network of "good old boys," and its policies are a direct reflection of their personal morals and values, so homophobia is the rule rather than the exception.

   1984 August 18, R. L. Richardson, “Women In Cages”, in Gay Community News, volume 12, number 6, page 7