Definition
A mischievous person, especially a child, who behaves in a playfully dishonest or troublesome way; can be used affectionately or disapprovingly.
Etymology
From Old French rascaille meaning 'rabble' or 'mob', originally referring to the common people or dregs of society. The meaning softened over time to describe mildly mischievous behavior, especially in children.
Kelly Says
Rascal beautifully demonstrates how language can rehabilitate originally harsh terms - what once meant 'social dregs' now often conveys affectionate exasperation with a beloved troublemaker. The word's journey mirrors changing attitudes toward childhood mischief and social class.
Translations
BGБългарски
мошеник
mo-she-NIK
CACatalà
granota
gra-NO-ta
CSČeština
darebák
da-re-BAAK
DEDeutsch
Schlingel
SHLING-el
ELΕλληνικά
αλήτης
a-LEE-tis
ESEspañol
granuja
gra-NU-ha
FRFrançais
vaurien
vo-ryen
HRHrvatski
nitkov
NIT-kov
HUMagyar
csibész
CHI-bees
IDBahasa Indonesia
nakal
NA-kal
ITItaliano
birbante
bir-BAN-te
LTLietuvių
sukčius
SUK-chius
LVLatviešu
nelietis
ne-LYE-tis
MNМонгол
хууль зөрчигч
khuul zorchigch
MSBahasa Melayu
nakal
NA-kal
MYမြန်မာ
ဆိုးသွမ်း
hso-thwan
NLNederlands
schelm
SKHELM
PTPortuguês
trapaceiro
tra-pa-SEI-ro
RORomână
nelegiuit
ne-le-ju-IT
RUРусский
негодяй
ne-go-DYAI
SKSlovenčina
ulicník
u-LITS-neek
SLSlovenščina
malopridnež
ma-lo-PRID-nezh
SVSvenska
rackarunge
RAK-ka-run-ge
SWKiswahili
mjanja
m-JAN-ja
TAதமிழ்
குறும்பு
ku-rum-bu
TEతెలుగు
చెడ్డవాడు
ched-da-vaa-du
UKУкраїнська
негідник
ne-HID-nyk
VITiếng Việt
kẻ láu cá
ke lau ka