An Enchanted Place

It’s that time of week again where I share a word that I find interesting and write a little story in which I use it.

This week’s Weekly Word is: rapscallion

Part of Speech

noun

Pronunciation

rap·​scal·​lion | \ rap-ˈskal-yən

Meaning

1. A rascal; a scamp; one who is mischievously playful

2. a troublesome child

3. a disreputable person; a rogue; a deceitful scoundrel

Word Origin

1699: from earlier rascallion, derived from rascal

Synonyms

1. imp, monkey, scamp, tiddler, tyke
2. brat, hellion, holy terror, little terror, terror
3. good-for-nothing, knave, rascal, rogue, scalawag, scallywag, scoundrel, varlet, villain, weasel

Use the Word

Rapscallion

“He’s such a little rapscallion.” Lily watched with an indulgent smile as two year old Billy slipped the crayons in with his cousin’s toys. The primary colours daubed all over the formerly clean, white walls couldn’t possibly have been him, his innocent gaze said, even after she had caught him in the act.

“That he is,” her sister sighed.

*

“We need to have a little talk about Billy’s behaviour,” Miss Grey said, drawing Lily away from the other parents and over to the side of the classroom.

“Oh, I know. He’s such a rapscallion. Has he been causing trouble?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I’m afraid I’ve had to speak to Billy about fighting and bullying several times since the beginning of the term. As a year six we had hoped he might set a good example for the lower years, but he seems to be doing exactly the opposite.”

*

“He’s just a bit of a rapscallion, officer. Please! I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm.” Lily wept as her teenage son was led out of the house in handcuffs.

“More than a bit of a rapscallion, Mrs Michaels. There are some who’d claim he’s a downright rogue. His actions have put two people in hospital. He’s not a little boy any more. He’s old enough to know better.”

***

If you would like to join in with this activity in any way, feel free to do so. You could either share a Weekly Word of your own – this week beginning with the letter R – or you could use my word, or Millie Thom’s, as inspiration for a post. This could be a piece of poetry, flash fiction, or any form of prose that you choose. Just share a link in the comments so we can see what you’ve been up to!