Boy Scout

noun

1. a member of an organization of boys BoyScouts, founded in England in 1908 by Lieutenant General Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, that seeks to develop certain skills in its members, as well as character, self-reliance, and usefulness to others.
2. (lowercase) a member of any similar society elsewhere.
3. (lowercase) Sometimes Disparaging. a person whose deeds, obliging personality, idealism, etc., exceed normal expectations.

boy scout

noun

1. See Scout
2. informal.
   an apparently virtuous and innocent person

Sensitive Note

Use of boy scout to mean “someone who is obliging and idealistic” usually implies that the person is naive or unworldly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Boy Scout¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Even as a child, he was a straight arrow with a sense of duty, honor and country, and he carried that Boy Scout quality into adulthood.

From Washington Post

The then 10-year-old Boy Scout was with his cousin a few days after the massacre when they spotted wooden crates the size of pianos strewn about at the edge of the cemetery.

From Science News

He was also involved with local Boy Scout troops and started a Native-inspired Scouting society called the Mic-O-Say Tribe.

From Washington Post

The Boy Scout that a people thought they knew does not exist.

From The Daily Beast

Outside, Matt Schultz supporters in Boy Scout uniforms made pancakes and handed out cups of Tang.

From The Daily Beast

Think Gogol's "Ukrainian Tales" redone by a Boy Scout who doesn't believe in magic.

From The Daily Beast

Bob is 15 years old, and the only openly gay Scout in a Boy Scout troop.

From The Daily Beast

This Tennessee bill, coupled with the recent Boy Scout debate seem to be part of a disturbing trend.

From The Daily Beast

"He'll understand that if he's up on Boy Scout literature," suggested Sandy.

From Project Gutenberg

I guess this Boy Scout training is pretty poor, ain't it, eh?

From Project Gutenberg

"It means a Boy Scout signal for assistance," replied Tommy.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm not kicking at the discovery of a Boy Scout," laughed Will.

From Project Gutenberg

Many formidable obstacles lie in our path, we know, but we are comforted by the thought that the Boy Scout isn't one of them.

From Project Gutenberg