Scoundrel
/ˈskaʊn.drəl/noun
A dishonest, contemptible, or morally bad person.
Did you know?Its earliest form appears to be a contempt term built in English, and the exact origin is uncertain, which gives it that perfect old-world, half-cursed feel.
Etymological Timeline
Late 16th Century
English
scoundrel
“A worthless or base person; an insulting term for someone contemptible.”
Late 16th Century
English
scoundrelly
“Characterized by low, dishonest, or base behavior.”
Uncertain
English
scoundrel
“Likely formed within English as an expressive insult, possibly influenced by words like scum or scoundrel-like slang forms.”
Modern English
English
scoundrel
“A dishonest, villainous, or contemptible person.”