scalawag

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scalawag

Where it comes 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.

noun scalawags · scallawag · scalliwag · scallywag · skalawag

derogatory A disreputable fellow, a good-for-nothing, a scapegrace, a blackguard. Calvin: "I'm very very sorry that I took your precious flaaggg!" Hobbes: "Just don't do it any more, you scurvy scalawaaggg!"
informal A badly behaved person, especially a child; a mischief-maker; a rascal. “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.”
archaic, derogatory A scrawny cow.
US, archaic, derogatory, historical 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. “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![…]”
Philippines rogue police; rogue military personnel

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MLA

"scalawag." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/scalawag. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

scalawag. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/scalawag

Chicago

"scalawag." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/scalawag.

BibTeX

@misc{scalawag_2026,
  title = {scalawag},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/scalawag},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}