Etymology Map
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Rascal

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a mischievous or cheeky person

Where does the word "rascal" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin rasicare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rasicare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to scrape"
a scraping, from 'radere', to scrape
2
Stage 2 of 3
rascaille
Old French · medieval
"rabble"
the scrapings of society, a mob
3
Stage 3 of 3
rascal
English · 1300s
"rabble"
softened to a cheeky, mischievous person
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Read the full story

Rascal’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: rasicare meant “to scrape.” A scraping, from 'radere', to scrape. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as rascaille. The scrapings of society, a mob. It reached English by 1300s as rascal. Softened to a cheeky, mischievous person. Today, rascal means a mischievous or cheeky person.