Hooligan
/ˈhuːlɪɡən/noun
A rough, violent, or rowdy person.
Did you know?The exact origin is uncertain, but the word exploded in late-19th-century London slang and was popularized in the press as a term for violent young troublemakers.
Etymological Timeline
Late 19th Century
English
hooligan
“A violent or rowdy street tough; a public nuisance.”
1890s
English
hooligan
“Used in London slang and newspapers for disorderly young men and gangs.”
Origin uncertain
Irish/English slang
Hooligan
“Possibly from an Irish surname or a slang name used for a troublesome person; the precise source is disputed.”
Modern English
English
hooligan
“A person who behaves in a noisy, violent, or destructive way.”