Goujat

/ɡuːˈʒɑː/ noun

Definition

A rude, ill-mannered, or boorish person; someone who behaves crudely or without social grace.

Etymology

From French 'goujat' (meaning urchin, scoundrel, or uncouth fellow), derived from 'gouge' (meaning street boy or guttersnipe in Old French). Adopted into English from French in the 19th century to describe vulgar or ill-bred behavior.

Kelly Says

This French word snuck into English specifically to describe a kind of rudeness that 'cad' or 'boor' didn't quite capture—the French were so specific about social sins that we borrowed their word rather than invent our own.

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