Scalawag: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
scalawag
[ หskeษชlษหwรฆษก ]
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:
๐ต๐น escroto
๐ฎ๐ณ เคงเฅเคเฅเคฌเคพเคเคผ
๐ฉ๐ช Gauner
๐ฎ๐ฉ penipu
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐั ัะฐะน
๐ต๐ฑ oszust
๐ฏ๐ต ่ฉๆฌบๅธซ
๐ซ๐ท escroc
๐ช๐ธ estafador
๐น๐ท dolandฤฑrฤฑcฤฑ
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฌ๊ธฐ๊พผ
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุตุงุจ
๐จ๐ฟ podvodnรญk
๐ธ๐ฐ podvodnรญk
๐จ๐ณ ้ชๅญ
๐ธ๐ฎ prevarant
๐ฎ๐ธ svindlari
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะปะฐัา
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแงแฃแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ dษlษduz
๐ฒ๐ฝ estafador
Word origin
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.