scamp

plural scamps

1. A rascal, swindler, or rogue; a ne'er-do-well.

   "He is a scamp, he is and it isn't difficult to find his tracks and signs of his reckless shooting, for he can never wait, like other folks, till the birds have had a good start at their play."

   1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 77

   Synonyms: swindler, rogue, agitator, bad boy, bad news, bear, beggar, bhoy

2. A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.

   While walking home from the bar, he was set upon by a bunch of scamps who stole his hat.

   2 more examples

   My nephew is a little scamp who likes to leave lighted firecrackers under the lawnchairs of his dozing elders.

   Prince Harry idolized Diana more and understood her less. He would always be her baby, a scamp who was “thick” at his lessons and “naughty, just like me.” His emotions, like hers, were always simmering near the surface.

   April 5 2022, Tina Brown, “How Princess Diana’s Dance With the Media Impacted William and Harry”, in Vanity Fair

present singular third person scamps · participle present scamping · participle past scamped · past scamped

1. datedTo skimp; to do something in a skimpy or slipshod fashion.

   1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry His work was always first-rate. There was no scamping about it. Everything that he did was thoroughly good and honest.

   1 more example

   “They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just for that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”

   1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 3, in Well Tackled!

plural scamps

1. advertisingA preliminary design sketch.

   It did not matter that the scamp (simple illustrative line-drawing) it contained could have been done in the pub the night before.

   2007, Adrian Mackay, Practice of Advertising, page 124

   1 more example

   From the scamps, the creative idea can be developed more fully into a proposal for an actual ad. This needs to be clear enough to present to the client.

   2009, FCS: Advertising & Promotions L4, page 25