Rascality
/ræsˈkælɪti/noun
The quality or behavior of a rascal; mischievous or dishonest conduct.
Did you know?Rascality comes from a word family tied to scavenging and scraps, a reminder that some of English’s sharpest insults were born from social exile, not elegance.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
rascalite
“A rascal-like person or the quality of being a rascal.”
Late Middle English
Anglo-French
rascale
“A scoundrel, worthless person, or common fellow.”
Middle French
French
rascaille
“The rabble; the low crowd; refuse or dregs.”
Early Modern English
English
rascal
“A base, mean, or worthless person; later, a mischievous rogue.”
Origin uncertain, probably Vulgar Latin
VL
*rasicare / related forms
“Likely connected to notions of scraping or something scraped away; the exact source is debated.”
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