Larrikin

Larrikin
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 street Arab, a youth given to horse-play, etc. [Australia & Eng.] -- a. Rowdy; rough; disorderly. [Australia & Eng.]

Mobs of unruly larrikins. --Sydney Daily Telegraph.

Note: Larrikin is often popularly explained by the following anecdote (which is without foundation): An Irish policeman at Melbourne, on bringing a notorious rough into court, was asked by the magistrate what the prisoner had been doing, and replied, ``He was a-larrikin' [i. e., a-larking] about the streets.'' [Webster 1913 Suppl.]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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 —    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… …   A dictionary of epithets and terms of address

  • 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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