Skallywag
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Skallywag" means a rascal or mischievous person - a regional pronunciation and spelling of the older American slang word "scalawag."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Skallywag' or 'scallywag' was something my Momma said often when I was growin' up. It's one of my favorites. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Skallywag' or 'scallywag' was something my Momma said often when I was growin' up. It's one of my favorites. Pronunciation
[SKAL-ee-wag]
/ˈskæliwæɡ/
/ˈskæliwæɡ/
Meaning & Usage
- A mischievous person or rascal (noun)
Pearl:
That skallywag keeps hiding my keys.
That skallywag keeps hiding my keys.variations: Scallywag, Scalawag, Little Rascal, Mischievous Young’un
★ "Scalawag" began as an American slang word in the 19th century. Southerners kept the term alive as "scallywag" and "skallywag," turning it into a folksy way of teasing a mischievous child or rascal. ★
Origin and Etymology
From earlier British dialect "scallowag" (a worthless animal), which became "scalawag" in American slang by the mid-1800s. In the South it later acquired a political meaning during Reconstruction, but as everyday speech it shifted to mean "rascal" or "troublemaker." "Skallywag" reflects the Southern/Appalachian spelling and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Still heard in Southern/Appalachian speech, especially among older speakers or in playful family talk. Outside the region "scallywag" or "scalawag" may be recognized as quaint, pirate-like, or humorous but is rarely used in conversation.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "skallywag" - also heard as "scallywag" or "scalawag." All mean roughly the same thing, but "skallywag" sounds the most Southern/Appalachian.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Skallywag. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/scallywag
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Skallywag." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/scallywag.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Skallywag." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/scallywag.
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