A young hooligan or delinquent, especially in Irish or British dialect; a low-class ruffian.
Irish English slang, possibly from 'flatty' or related to 'flat' in the sense of 'worthless.' Dating to early 20th century, primarily Irish usage.
This Dublin slang word captures a specific moment in working-class youth culture—part of a rich tradition of regional insults that reveal what each era feared most about young people.
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