scallywags
Playful little troublemakers
Scallywags are mischievous troublemakers, usually applied affectionately to children or pets causing minor chaos: Those scallywags tracked mud all over my clean floor.
The word carries a playful, old-fashioned tone—more exasperated than truly angry.
Historically, scalawag (the more common American spelling) was a serious insult for white Southerners who supported Reconstruction after the Civil War.
Lovable troublemaker
- scampMischievous young person
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
- impMinor mischief-making devil
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
prankster · ne'er-do-well · hellion · miscreant · delinquent · hooligan · brat · urchin
Caribbean colonial-era pirate
- corsairPirate or pirate ship
- freebooterMaritime plunderer seeking booty
- privateerAuthorized civilian warship
- swashbucklerDaring, flamboyant swordsman
sea dog · marauder · plunderer · raider · cutthroat · smuggler · bootlegger · treasure hunter
rascal
Lovable troublemaker
- scampMischievous young person
- rapscallionMischievous person, usually endearing
- impMinor mischief-making devil
troublemaker · prankster · ne'er-do-well · hellion · miscreant · delinquent · hooligan · brat · urchin · gamin
buccaneer
Caribbean colonial-era pirate
- corsairPirate or pirate ship
- freebooterMaritime plunderer seeking booty
- privateerAuthorized civilian warship
swashbuckler · sea dog · marauder · plunderer · raider · cutthroat · smuggler · bootlegger · treasure hunter · Jolly Roger
impish
Playfully mischievous in manner
- roguishMischievously charming
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
- frolicsomeInclined to merriment
puckish · frisky · sportive · whimsical · jocular · cheeky · saucy · devilish · waggish · prankish
scallywagsangels
Divine winged messengers
saints · innocents · goody-goodies · goody two-shoes · do-gooders
scallywagsgentlemen
Men of refinement
ladies · pillars of the community · dignitaries · worthies · notables
scallywagsconformists
Those obeying social norms
straight arrows · teacher's pets · sticklers · squares · brown-nosers