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spalpeen

[ spal-peen, spal-peen ]

noun

, Irish English.
  1. a lad or boy.
  2. a rascal; scamp.


spalpeen

/ ˈspælpiːn /

noun

  1. an itinerant seasonal labourer
  2. a rascal or layabout
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of spalpeen1

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

Origin of spalpeen1

C18: from Irish Gaelic spailpín itinerant labourer
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Example Sentences

I see'd him onc't knock the top-lights out of a murtherin' spalpeen who was afther injurin' yer Honor's reputation.

Shure, when that dirty little spalpeen av a Caggs went back on us so, what could Oi do?

Wait out there, like a jewel, till I put the beast away, and then you shall call me spalpeen again.

“Go along away out of that, you blundering spalpeen,” said he, with a cuff on the ear.

Ah, go'long wid ye—ye bloody young spalpeen—ye're no more afraid than I am!

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