spalpeen

American  

[spal-peen, spal-peen] / spælˈpin, ˈspæl pin /

noun

Irish English.

1. a lad or boy.

2. a rascal; scamp.

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spalpeen British  

/ ˈspælpiːn /

noun

1. an itinerant seasonal labourer

2. a rascal or layabout

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Etymology

Origin of spalpeen

1770–80; < Irish spailpín seasonal hired laborer, rude person, scamp, equivalent to spailp spell, bout, turn + -ín noun suffix

Example Sentences

What does a writer do when he has already won the Man Booker Prize and can make copacetic use of words like preterite, spalpeen, goitrous and phthistic?

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2010

"I said a spalpeen let you down," O'Malley growled.

From A Yankee Flier Over Berlin by Laune, Paul

"There comes that little spalpeen ag'in!" cried Dennis suddenly, as he looked back and saw that Levi was following discreetly in the distance.

From The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam by Tomlinson, Everett T. (Everett Titsworth)

I will, father, and if I fail, and I find that that spalpeen Lennon is at the bottom of it, let them both look out, that's all.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.

"If this is what the Geneva treaty said captured officers were to eat, I'm a spalpeen," O'Malley muttered as he marched away with Stan to their quarters.

From A Yankee Flier Over Berlin by Laune, Paul