Boy Scout

noun

1. a member of an organization of boys BoyScouts, founded in England in 1908 by Lieutenant General Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, that seeks to develop certain skills in its members, as well as character, self-reliance, and usefulness to others.
2. (lowercase) a member of any similar society elsewhere.
3. (lowercase) Sometimes Disparaging. a person whose deeds, obliging personality, idealism, etc., exceed normal expectations.

boy scout

noun

1. See Scout
2. informal.
   an apparently virtuous and innocent person

Sensitive Note

Use of boy scout to mean “someone who is obliging and idealistic” usually implies that the person is naive or unworldly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Boy Scout¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

His passion for journalism was first piqued in high school, when, as a boy scout on a flood relief mission in Fairbanks, he bonded with an Anchorage Daily News reporter.

From New York Times

Carson reminded those gathered of Trump’s strengths, despite his flaws, saying not everyone in the Bible was a “boy scout.”

From Seattle Times

It defies credulity to claim that Meadows was inspired by a boy scout’s sense of election integrity to assist Trump’s effort to undo Biden’s wins in Georgia and other states.

From Los Angeles Times

The preppy styles — ones that jarred in Nigo’s last two shows — were more thought out, like one boy scout scarf in multicolor knit, although it still felt a tad obvious.

From Seattle Times

The former boy scout said many people are wondering how they would’ve fared in the situation, and what they could do to prepare for something similar.

From Seattle Times