Jim

I'm a (something), not a (something else)

Used to emphasize one's status as a certain type of person to the exclusion of some other type. Modeled on the catch phrase of Dr. McCoy in the television series Star Trek, "I'm a doctor, not a (something)." A: "What do you think would be the best way to market our new app?" B: "Hey, don't ask me—I'm a programmer, not a salesperson." A: "Do you think you can repair the car?" B: "Lady, I'm a mechanic, not a miracle worker. This thing is totaled."
See also: not

Jim Crow

The systemic discrimination against African Americans that occurred in the southern United States from the end of the American Civil War until the 1960s, in which black people were treated as a lower class of citizens than white people. Back during Jim Crow, a black person couldn't even use the same drinking fountain as a white person! Many are calling this systemic racism the "new Jim Crow."
See also: crow, Jim

jim-dandy

1. adjective Excellent; very fine or pleasing. Primarily heard in US. Wow, you've really created a jim-dandy story here! Action, romance, comedy—it's got it all! I'm sure the plan seemed jim-dandy at the time, but you nearly got yourselves killed!
2. noun That which is very fine, pleasing, or excellent. Often used in the phrase "a jim-dandy of a," which can be used sarcastically to imply the opposite. Primarily heard in US. A: "How was your trip to Florida?" B: "Oh boy, it was a jim-dandy! It seemed like everything we did was even better than the last!" The company appears to be gearing up for a jim-dandy of a legal battle over the issue. Sounds like it's going to be a jim-dandy of a party next weekend.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

jim-dandy

excellent. This is a jim-dandy knife. Where'd you get it? Tom: I'll meet you at six, OK? Charlie: That'll be jim-dandy.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • I'm a (something), not a (something else)
  • scientist
  • strike (one) as (something)
  • strike as
  • take for
  • type out
  • type up
  • buggy
  • buggy whip
  • scratch A and you'll find B
References in classic literature
"Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way.
"You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.
Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table.
But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!"
"Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it.
The Four Million
Captain Jim was a high-souled, simple-minded old man, with eternal youth in his eyes and heart.
It could not be denied that Captain Jim was a homely man.
"Thought they'd be sorter tasty after travelling," said Captain Jim. "They're fresh as trout can be, Mistress Blythe.
"Who is attending to the light tonight, Captain Jim?" asked Doctor Dave.
Annes House of Dreams
Months afterward Jim Burden arrived at my apartment one stormy winter afternoon, with a bulging legal portfolio sheltered under his fur overcoat.
My own story was never written, but the following narrative is Jim's manuscript, substantially as he brought it to me.
My Antonia
Jim, who was in advance, saw the last stair before him and stuck his head above the rocky sides of the stairway.
Go ahead, Jim, and whatever happens we'll make the best of it."
But Jim was ready for them, and when he saw them coming he turned his heels toward them and began kicking out as hard as he could.
"Those wooden things are impossible to hurt," he said, "and all the damage Jim has done to them is to knock a few splinters from their noses and ears.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz