Mischief is playful or mildly troublesome behavior that causes small problems or annoyances, but not serious harm, like hiding someone’s shoes as a joke. It can also more generally mean harm or damage.
From Old French ‘meschief,’ meaning ‘misfortune’ or ‘harm,’ from ‘mes-’ (badly) and ‘cheoir’ (to fall). The sense softened over time from serious harm to playful trouble, especially with children.
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