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