Poodle Faker

I love colorful words and phrases but the meaning of the term "poodle faker" has eluded me.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Nolan

"Poodle" was, indeed, slang for a woman at the beginning of this century, found most notably in the British slang term "poodle-faker." A "poodle-faker" was (and still is, I suppose) a man who cultivates the attention and affection of wealthy women for social or financial advantage -- in other words, a gigolo. The phrase refers to the attempts of such men to insinuate themselves into a lady's company in the role of a clinging "lap dog," or favorite.