Scamp
/skæmp/noun
A mischievous or playful person, especially a child.
Did you know?Scamp is an old English dialect word that originally meant a rogue, vagabond, or rascal, and its exact deeper origin is uncertain—one of those sneaky words that seems to have emerged from the underworld of slang.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
English
scamp
“A rogue, rascal, or worthless fellow.”
18th Century
English dialect
scamp
“A light, playful term for a mischievous person or child.”
Uncertain
English
scamp
“Probably a slang or dialect formation, possibly influenced by verbs meaning to move lightly or briskly.”
Modern English
English
scamp
“A mischievous, impish person, especially a child.”