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Pejorative term for a sexually deviant male. Current usage has shaded into implying a pedophile but the older meaning was a homosexual or effeminate male. The transition in meaning has occurred as homosexuality has become more acceptable but pedophilia has become less so.

Etymology: Nance, from Nancy. The female name applied derisively to a male expressed the speakers opinion of his taking or deserving a female or inferior role. Also Nancy-boy, Miss Nancy, Miss Molly, Nauncy, Naunce, Nanny-boy.

Variants of this term date back to at least the mid-nineteenth century and probably much earlier.
The charge was elevenpence, but it was a dark, evil-smelling place, and a notorious haunt of the 'nancy-boys.' Downstairs, in the murky kitchen, three ambiguous-looking youths in smartish blue suits were sitting on a bench apart, ignored by the other lodgers." George Orwell, "Down and Out in Paris

"...My first presumption was that he wished to ask me my direction but as soon as he spoke I knew him to be a nonce..." John Stewart Earl, Journal
nonce by Ruthless2 March 5, 2011
Related Words
How do I say “let’s go champ” in your language

“I am a nonce”
Nonce by Nonce Briggs November 22, 2019
Someone who likes to touch, or at least try and touch kids.
Person 1 - "Hey did you hear about Elf!?"
Person 2 - "No, why?"
Person 1 - "He tried it on with that 14 year old and he's like 18/19!"
Person 2 - "Oh my god! What a fucking nonce!"
Nonce by GetToTheChoppa September 8, 2013
“Max your dad sits at the top of the stairs and pretends he’s on the chase the silly nonce”
nonce by MrTinyKnob March 8, 2021
A word for nice people in britain. When you want to compliment a man in britain, you must call him a nonce. Men in britain get mad at the use of it because its too kind.
John: Your a nonce, sir!
Mr. Smith: Well thank you, john! I’ll tell your mum of this!
John: That would be a pleasure!
*mister smith rings johns mum up and later does her*