Old boy, subs. (popular).—1. A familiar term of address. The old boy is
one’s father; the ‘guv’nor,’ or ‘boss.’ Sometimes my boy.
1602. Shaks., Twel. N., ii., 4, 122. But di’de thy sister of her
loue my boy? [M.]
1740. Richardson, Pamela, III., 380. Never fear, old boy, said Sir
Charles, we’ll bear our Parts in Conversation. [M.]