scalawag
/'skæləwæg/ Cách viết khác : (scallawag) /'skæləwæg/ (scallywag) /'skæliwæg/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A mischievous person, especially a playful or cheeky child: A "scalawag" is someone, often a child, who is playfully naughty or full of harmless mischief. 2. A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel; a rascal: In a more serious sense, a "scalawag" can refer to a dishonest or untrustworthy person. 3. A white Southerner who supported Reconstruction policies after the American Civil War (usually for self-interest): In U.S. historical context, this term was used derogatorily by other Southerners to describe a white Southerner who collaborated with Northern Republicans during the Reconstruction era (1865–1877).
Usage Examples
- Noun (mischievous person):
- That little scalawag hid my keys again as a joke.
- The teacher smiled and called the boy a lovable scalawag for his prank.
- Noun (scoundrel):
- Don't trust him with your money; he's a known scalawag.
- The old western movie featured a villain who was a real scalawag.
- Noun (historical term):
- After the war, Southerners who joined the Republican Party were often labeled as scalawags by their neighbors.
- The term "scalawag" was used alongside "carpetbagger" as an insult during Reconstruction.
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used with a tone of affectionate exasperation when referring to playful mischief, especially in children or pets.
- In its historical sense, "scalawag" is a loaded term that carries strong political and social connotations from a specific period in American history. Its use today outside of a historical discussion is rare and would be considered archaic or highly regional.
Variants and Related Words
- Scallywag: An alternative, chiefly British, spelling of the word.
- Scallawag: Another less common variant spelling.
- Rascal (n.): A close synonym, often interchangeable for both the playful and dishonest meanings.
- Rogue (n.): A synonym, especially for the meaning of a dishonest or unprincipled person.
- Miscreant (n.): A formal synonym for a villain or criminal.
Synonyms
- For the mischievous meaning: rascal, imp, scamp, mischief-maker.
- For the scoundrel meaning: rogue, scoundrel, ne'er-do-well, good-for-nothing.
- For the historical meaning: collaborator (context-specific), Southern Republican (neutral term).
Related Idioms
- While there are no common idioms with "scalawag" as the core word, the concept is similar to phrases like:
- "A bit of a handful": Used to describe a child who is lively and difficult to control.
- "Up to no good": Engaging in suspicious or mischievous activity.
Noun
- one who is playfully mischievous
- a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
- a white Southerner who supported Reconstruction policies after the American Civil War (usually for self-interest)