Picaresque
/ˌpɪk.əˈrɛsk/noun
Relating to a roguish, adventurous style of fiction featuring a clever, low-born wanderer.
Did you know?The word comes from Spanish *pícaro* “rogue, rascal,” and the whole genre is basically a celebration of survival by wit, fraud, and hustle.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Spanish
pícaro
“A rogue, rascal, or petty criminal living by cunning and trickery.”
17th Century
Spanish
picaresco
“Roguish; pertaining to a pícaro or rogue.”
17th Century
French
picaresque
“Roguish; like the adventures of a rogue in fiction.”
18th Century
English
picaresque
“Of or relating to a genre of fiction about a clever, wandering rogue.”
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