larrikin

larrikin
   This is a particularly Australian term, referring to a street rowdy, a young hooligan. The word is thought to derive from Larry, pet form of Laurence, at one time a common Irish first name. The term was in use in Australia by the 1870s. Its use a hundred years later is shown in A Salute to the Great McCarthy, by Barry Oakley, an Australian novel first published in 1970. ‘“Out!” says Evans, showing the hairy pits of his nostrils as he looks up. “Hooligan! Larrikin! Out!”’ Later in the novel ‘larrikin’ is used again, equated with ‘hoodlum’.

A dictionary of epithets and terms of address . . 2015.

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  • Larrikin — Lar ri*kin, n. [Cf. E. dial. larrikin a mischievous or frolicsome youth, larrick lively, careless, larack to frolic, to romp.] A rowdy street loafer; a rowdyish or noisy ill bred fellow; a hoodlum; variously applied, as to a street blackguard, a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • larrikin — [lar′i kin] n. [ult. < ? LARK2] [Slang, Chiefly Austral.] a hoodlum or rowdy, esp. a young one …   English World dictionary

  • larrikin — UK [ˈlærɪkɪn] / US [ˈlerɪkɪn] noun [countable] Word forms larrikin : singular larrikin plural larrikins Australian a person who does not respect the law or usual social rules, and behaves badly and noisily in public …   English dictionary

  • larrikin — noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1868 chiefly Australian hoodlum, rowdy • larrikin adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • larrikin — noun Someone with an amused, irreverent, mocking attitude to authority and the norms of propriety. How dare you talk to me like that, you young larrikin? Be off! or Ill send for a policeman. (Quoted in A Dictionary of Australian Colloquialisms… …   Wiktionary

  • Larrikin Love — Pays d’origine Twickenham, Londres  Angleterre Genre musical Indie rock Années d activité …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Larrikin Love — Infobox musical artist Name = Larrikin Love Background = group or band Origin = Twickenham, London, England Genre = Indie rock Years active = 2005 ndash;2007 Label = Warner Associated acts = URL = Current members = Past members = Edward Larrikin… …   Wikipedia

  • larrikin — larrikinism, n. /lar i kin/, Australian Slang. n. 1. a street rowdy; hoodlum. adj. 2. disorderly; rowdy. [1865 70; orig. uncert.] * * * …   Universalium

  • Larrikin — 1. bloke who is always enjoying himself, harmless prankster; 2. boisterous, irresponsible and mischievous boy or young man; 3. good natured but independent or wild spirited person, usually having little regard for authority, accepted values,… …   Dictionary of Australian slang

  • larrikin — I Australian Slang 1. bloke who is always enjoying himself, harmless prankster; 2. boisterous, irresponsible and mischievous boy or young man; 3. good natured but independent or wild spirited person, usually having little regard for authority,… …   English dialects glossary

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