Scallywags

Scallywags, plural for scallywag, refers to mischievous, impudent, or dishonest individuals, often children or young people, but also sometimes used to describe adults engaging in similar behavior. They are often seen as playful troublemakers or rogues, lacking in conventional morality and often delighting in minor rebellions or pranks. The term suggests a certain charm or impishness, even if their actions are not always well-intentioned. Their actions are often impulsive and self-serving, but generally do not have large-scale negative consequences. They may also be perceived as resourceful or cunning, adept at getting their way.

Scallywags meaning with examples

• The young scallywags, having raided the cookie jar, were discovered giggling and covered in crumbs. Their mischievousness was plain to see, but their parents couldn't help but smile at their playful audacity. The scallywags had once again made a mess, but their infectious laughter and the sugar on their faces made it hard to be truly angry.
• In the old Western film, the charming outlaw and his band of scallywags rode into town, stirring up chaos and excitement wherever they went. Their disregard for the law was evident, yet they retained an air of likeability that won over some townsfolk. They were the kind of scallywags that people would love to hate, but that they would inevitably be fond of, no matter what trouble they brought about.
• The group of teenagers, self-proclaimed scallywags, spent their summer vacation devising increasingly elaborate schemes to avoid doing chores. Their schemes ranged from feigning illness to bribing their siblings, all with varying degrees of success. Though often foiled, their inventive antics filled the household with laughter, even amidst the occasional parental exasperation.
• The children, a cohort of energetic scallywags, transformed the quiet library into a stage for their boisterous games of make-believe. Their imaginative antics, while initially disruptive, eventually amused the librarian. They took liberties with the space, but their high spirits and innocent sense of fun made it hard to scold them for their shenanigans.
• The political campaign was riddled with scandal, the candidate's opponents calling him a scallywag for his underhanded tactics and questionable financial dealings. The accusations, while damaging, were not entirely unexpected by the electorate, as such actions often go hand-in-hand with dirty politics. His opponents used it in their attempts to win against him.