A dishonest or unscrupulous person; someone who behaves badly or cruelly toward others.
From 16th century English, originally referring to the kitchen servants or 'black guard' of a noble household (considered low-status). Over time it became an insult meaning a villainous or immoral person.
A 'blackguard' was literally a low-ranking kitchen servant in medieval times, but the term became so associated with dirty, disreputable behavior that it evolved into an insult for scoundrels—pretty brutal job history!
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