Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

scalawag

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.43 in modern English

Syllables: scalawag
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A disreputable fellow, a good-for-nothing, a scapegrace, a blackguard.

Derogatory

noun

A badly behaved person, especially a child; a mischief-maker; a rascal.

Informal

noun

Archaic; Derogatory

noun

Any white Southerner who supported the federal plan of Reconstruction after the American Civil War or who joined with the black freedmen and the carpetbaggers in support of Republican Party policies.

American usage; Archaic; Derogatory

noun

rogue police; rogue military personnel

Example Sentences

"Calvin: "I'm very very sorry that I took your precious flaaggg!" Hobbes: "Just don't do it any more, you scurvy scalawaaggg!""
"“This ruckus never seems to end.” (Colin laughing) “He's very loud, and unlike us, he does not sleep during the day.” “Nor does he sleep during the night.” “When does he sleep?” “I don't think he does.” (glass breaks) “Never a dull moment with that scalawag.” “I'm pretty sure he must be part demon.” “Nonsense. He's all boy.”"
"“And you, Hugh Elsing, I’m ashamed of you! What will your poor mother say? Drunk and out with a—a Yankee-loving Scallawag like Captain Butler![…]”"

Etymology

Of obscure origin, perhaps from the name of the Shetland village of Scalloway (from Old Norse Skálavágr), known for its dwarf ponies and dwarf cattle.

Usage

Inflected Forms

scalawags (plural) scallawag (alternative) scalliwag (alternative) scallywag (alternative) skalawag (alternative)

Derived Forms

scalawaggery scally scallie

Synonyms

imp scamp monkey rascal rapscallion scallywag rogue knave varlet

Questions

What does scalawag mean?: A disreputable fellow, a good-for-nothing, a scapegrace, a blackguard.
Where does scalawag come from?: Of obscure origin, perhaps from the name of the Shetland village of Scalloway (from Old Norse Skálavágr), known for its dwarf ponies and dwarf cattle.

How to pronounce scalawag

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