scalawag
scalawag Lexical Profile
scalawag Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A person who behaves badly or mischievously, often used playfully or affectionately; a rascal or scoundrel.
"The grandfather chuckled as the little scalawag hid behind the sofa with the stolen cookie."
American A white Southerner who collaborated with northern Republicans during the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War, originally used as a disparaging term by political opponents.
"During the heated campaign of 1868, conservative newspapers denounced the local judge as a scalawag for supporting the new state constitution."
American An undersized, stunted, or worthless domestic animal, especially a poorly bred cow or horse of little market value.
"The rancher refused to pay full price for a herd composed mostly of scrawny scalawags."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American historical contexts, "scalawag" specifically referred to native white Southerners who supported Reconstruction, whereas "carpetbagger" referred to Northerners who moved to the South during the same period.
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in American English in the 1840s, the word is possibly derived from Scalloway, a village in the Shetland Islands known for its breed of small, stunted ponies and cattle.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.