spalpeen

American  

[spal-peen, spal-peen] / spælˈpin, ˈspæl pin /

noun

Irish English.

1. a lad or boy.

2. a rascal; scamp.

---

spalpeen British  

/ ˈspælpiːn /

noun

1. an itinerant seasonal labourer

2. a rascal or layabout

---

Etymology

Origin of spalpeen

1770–80; < Irish spailpín seasonal hired laborer, rude person, scamp, equivalent to spailp spell, bout, turn + -ín noun suffix

Example Sentences

Children who grew up on the streets of New York City years ago had infinite fun just running wild in the streets and alleys with only a spalpeen to play with.

From New York Times

I suspict," said Dennis, as he tauntingly grinned at the helpless prisoner, "that the little spalpeen has some other papers somewhere about him.

From Project Gutenberg

"The colonel is as bad as that little spalpeen, the sutler!"

From Project Gutenberg

"There comes that little spalpeen ag'in!" cried Dennis suddenly, as he looked back and saw that Levi was following discreetly in the distance.

From Project Gutenberg

Turning to the orderly Dennis said, "Take my gun, sergeant, and just let me catch the little spalpeen, will ye?"

From Project Gutenberg