Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rowdy or mischievous person (usually a young man): "heller" refers to a person, typically young and male, who is noisy, unruly, or causes trouble.
   • A former unit of currency: "heller" was a subunit of currency, specifically 1/100th of a koruna, used historically in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
   • A surname: "Heller" is the surname of Joseph Heller, a notable American author.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (person): The old man called the noisy teenagers a bunch of hellers. That kid is a real heller, always getting into trouble.

• Noun (currency): The antique coin was worth ten hellers. Before the euro, the koruna was divided into 100 hellers.

• Noun (surname): "Catch-22" is a famous novel by Joseph Heller.

Advanced Usage

• The term "heller" to describe a person is informal and can be considered mildly derogatory. It often implies a lack of discipline or respect for rules.
• In historical or economic contexts, "heller" is used strictly as a term for the former currency subunit.

Variants and Related Words

• Hellion (n): A troublesome or mischievous person. This is a more common synonym for the "person" meaning of "heller."
• Heller as a surname is typically capitalized (e.g., Joseph Heller).

Synonyms

• For the person: troublemaker, rascal, hooligan, rowdy, hellion.
• For the currency: subunit, fractional unit.

Related Phrases

• To raise hell: To cause a loud disturbance or trouble. This idiom is conceptually related to the behavior of a "heller."

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary modern usage in general English refers to a mischievous person.
• The currency meaning is largely historical and specific to Central European financial history.
• The surname is a proper noun and functions differently from the common noun.

Noun

1. a rowdy or mischievous person (usually a young man)
   • he chased the young hellions out of his yard
2. United States novelist whose best known work was a black comedy inspired by his experiences in the Air Force during World War II (1923-1999)
3. 100 halers equal 1 koruna in Czech Republic
4. 100 halers equal 1 koruna Slovakia