Being called a 'Kupferstecher' - Germany

I've just been called a kupferstecker, is this friendly or should I become aggressive? Help can't find it on net

According to a quick search for the term with slightly modified spelling on Google...

"mein lieber Freund und Kupferstecher...now then my dear old chap"

Seems to be literally a copper-plate engraver but the expression has another meaning. Sounds a bit cheeky but it would depend on what the rest of what was said to give it some context.

Also, I'd suggest that if you have to ask "or should I become aggressive" then you're probably not the best at doing so and it's most likely not your best course of action.

a quick babelfish revealed this..

perhaps it's a friendly one, i am still trying to pick myself off the floor where i fell to laughing

Edit: doggonit! when will the emoticons get fixed!

some LEO info:
http://dict.leo.org/forum/viewUnsolvedquery.php?idThread=590437&idForum=1&lp=ende&lang=de

Some real info:

Alter Freund und Kupferstecher

Miwald, if he's unable to use Google to find what it means then he's unlikely to be able to translate a pile of German text.

From miwilds link:
the term "Mein lieber Freund und Kupferstecher" originally is a quote from letters of the poet Friedrich Rückert to a friend and meant in a friendly way.

But the meaning changed when people forgot about the origins of the term. As a copper-plate engraver is needed to forge paper money, calling someone a "Kupferstecher" is nowadays often meant in an ironic way. Most germans probably dont even know this and simply use the term as a joke.

Personally I have heard the term only used in connection with some kind of reprimand or warning.

What Freising said.

I used to get that one a lot from my dad. Usually when he was unpleasantly surprised by something I did. It's by no means derogatory though.

It's in a class with "mein lieber Herr Gesangsverein". Doesn't make much sense but can be expressive when said in the right tone of voice.

Yep, it's a bit like "alter Schwede!"