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Guttersnipe: meaning, definitions and examples

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guttersnipe

 

[ ˈɡʌtəˌsnaɪp ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal term

The term 'guttersnipe' is used to refer to a child or young person who is perceived as being from a lower socioeconomic class, often associated with being unkempt or engaging in mischievous behavior. It conveys a sense of disdain or contempt for the individual's background and social standing. Originally, it referred to children who lived in the streets or slums, scavenging for food or treasures. The term can also imply a lack of refinement or education.

Synonyms

ragamuffin, scamp, street urchin, waif

Examples of usage

  • The guttersnipe from the neighborhood caused trouble again.
  • He was just a guttersnipe, but he had a heart of gold.
  • The film depicted the struggles of a guttersnipe trying to escape his surroundings.

Translations

Translations of the word "guttersnipe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 garoto de rua

🇮🇳 गटर स्निप

🇩🇪 Straßenkind

🇮🇩 anak jalanan

🇺🇦 вулиця

🇵🇱 dziecko ulicy

🇯🇵 路上の子供

🇫🇷 enfant des rues

🇪🇸 niño de la calle

🇹🇷 sokak çocuğu

🇰🇷 길거리 아이

🇸🇦 طفل الشارع

🇨🇿 dítě ulice

🇸🇰 d dieťa z ulice

🇨🇳 街头儿童

🇸🇮 otrok na ulici

🇮🇸 götubarn

🇰🇿 көшенің баласы

🇬🇪 ქუჩის ბავშვი

🇦🇿 küçə uşağı

🇲🇽 niño de la calle

Etymology

The term 'guttersnipe' emerged in the early 19th century, deriving from the combination of 'gutter', which refers to a channel for water, often found in urban streets, and 'snipe', which has been used in various contexts but often refers to a small, elusive bird hunted for sport. The juxtaposition of these terms evokes an image of a scruffy child foraging in the dirty streets, metaphorically 'sniping' for survival amid the refuse of society. Initially, it was used generically to describe homeless or poor street children, but it gradually took on a more derogatory connotation, suggesting not just poverty or homelessness, but also a lack of civility or upstanding behavior. Over time, 'guttersnipe' has appeared in literature and is used in common parlance to depict individuals who are seen as unrefined or troublesome, often with a sense of nostalgia for the struggles of the underclass.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,196, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.