classic, adj. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

classic adj.

[ext. of SE use, but perhaps, given its use in sl., with a slight ref. to the classic horseraces]

a general adj. of supreme approval, wonderful, admirable, incomparable, best.

1944		‘F. Bonnamy’ A Rope of Sand (1947) 176: You are [...] the classic cluck who doesn’t know what time it is. A hell of an investigator.
1961		F. Kohner Gidget Goes Hawaiian 48: They looked real classic in the physical department.
1963		F. Kohner Affairs of Gidget 78: They served us some vino that was classic, and we had the greatest pizza.
1975		I. Hoare et al. Soul Book n.p.: A classic soul album [KH].
1989		P. Munro Sl. U. 60: classic worth remembering, outstanding, appropriate, funny.
1996		(con. 1964-65) B. Thorpe Sex and Thugs and Rock ’n’ Roll 5: Throwing back another shot of Cutty and chasing it with a pony of beer [...] Dulcie was classic.
1999		K. Sampson Powder 382: Classic track! Misunderstood genius!