scallawag Definition
- 1a person who behaves badly but in an amusingly mischievous rather than harmful way
- 2a white Southerner who collaborated with northern Republicans during Reconstruction, often for personal profit
Using scallawag: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "scallawag" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He's a scallawag, always playing pranks on his friends.
Example
The scallawags were seen as traitors by many Southerners.
Example
The town's scallawags were known for their wild parties and antics.
scallawag Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with scallawag
Example
Many political scallawags were seen as opportunists who sought to profit from their support of the Republican Party.
Example
Despite his mischievous behavior, everyone loved the cute scallawag.
Example
The little scallawag was always getting into trouble, but he never meant any harm.
Origins of scallawag
originally a Scottish term meaning 'scabby sheep', later used in the US to refer to a dishonest farm laborer
Summary: scallawag in Brief
A 'scallawag' [skal-uh-wag] is a person who behaves badly but in an amusingly mischievous rather than harmful way. It can also refer to a white Southerner who collaborated with northern Republicans during Reconstruction, often for personal profit. Examples include 'He's a scallawag, always playing pranks on his friends.' and 'The scallawags were seen as traitors by many Southerners.'
