Here's what we know:
* "Fine" has been around in English since the 14th century, originally meaning "refined" or "elegant". It later came to mean "in good health" or "satisfactory".
* "Dandy" emerged in the 18th century, referring to a man who was extremely concerned with his appearance and fashion. It later took on a more general meaning of "excellent" or "splendid".
The combination of "fine" and "dandy" likely arose in the 19th century as a way to emphasize the positive. The use of "fine" to express a positive sentiment, paired with the already positive connotation of "dandy", created a more emphatic way of saying "good" or "very well".
Here's how the combination might have evolved:
1. Emphasis: Initially, "fine and dandy" may have been used to add extra emphasis to "fine" - similar to how we might say "very good" instead of just "good".
2. Redundancy: The redundant nature of the phrase itself became part of its charm, making it sound more casual and lighthearted.
3. Informal: Over time, "fine and dandy" became associated with informal, everyday speech.
Today, "fine and dandy" is a playful and somewhat old-fashioned way of saying "everything is alright" or "everything is great."