Scalawag: meaning, definitions and examples

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scalawag

 

[ หˆskeษชlษ™หŒwรฆษก ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal usage

Scalawag refers to a person, often a rogue or scamp, who is considered disreputable or untrustworthy. Historically, this term was used primarily in the Southern United States post-Civil War to describe white Southerners who supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party. This label was often used by Democrats to disparage those who aligned with Northern interests. The term has since evolved to encompass anyone regarded as a rascal or someone who engages in mischievous behavior.

Synonyms

rascal, rogue, scamp, scoundrel, trickster.

Examples of usage

  • That scalawag stole my lunch money!
  • He's always been a scalawag, getting into trouble with his antics.
  • The local kids called him a scalawag for his pranks.
  • A real scalawag, she was always up to something fun.

Translations

Translations of the word "scalawag" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น escroto

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคงเฅ‹เค–เฅ‡เคฌเคพเคœเคผ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Gauner

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penipu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัˆะฐั…ั€ะฐะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ oszust

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฉๆฌบๅธซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท escroc

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ estafador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท dolandฤฑrฤฑcฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‚ฌ๊ธฐ๊พผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุตุงุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ podvodnรญk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ podvodnรญk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ช—ๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prevarant

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ svindlari

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะฐัา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒขแƒงแƒฃแƒแƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™lษ™duz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ estafador

Etymology

The term 'scalawag' has its origins in the post-Civil War era of the United States. It is believed to have been derived from an earlier term that referred to a worthless animal or a scamp, originating in the 19th century. It was prominently used in the southern states as a pejorative during the Reconstruction period. White Southerners who allied with the Republican Party and supported reconstruction efforts were labeled scalawags by their opponents, primarily comprising Southern Democrats. The term thus carried a significant social and political charge, embodying the tensions of the time. Over the years, 'scalawag' has been absorbed into broader informal usage, applying to anyone deemed mischievous or dishonest, and has shed some of its original political connotations, although it still retains a hint of its historical baggage.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,054, 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.