| 释义 |
† rantum-scantum, int., n., and a. Obs.
Also 8 -skantum.
[A riming comb., perh. suggested by rant v.]
A. int. and n. (Precise sense not clear; cf. quots.)
1600Heywood 1st Pt. Edw. IV, i. iv. Wks. 1874 I. 19 Rantum, scantum, rogues, follow your leader! 1667Davenant & Dryden Tempest iv. iii, I found her..singing Tory Rory, and Rantum Scantum, with her own natural brother. 1760Did you ever see such Damned Stuff? Title-p., Rantum-skantum is the Word, and Nonsense shall ensue. 1772Brydges Homer Trav. (1797) I. 78 Jove and his queen have had their quantum Of jaw, and such-like rantum-scantum.
B. adj. Harum-scarum, disorderly.
1727–8Mrs. Delany Lett., to Mrs. A. Granville 164 Don't think me the maddest thing in the world for writing such a rantum scantum letter. c1780M. Monsey Let. to Mrs. Montague in Bk. about Drs. (1860) II. iv. 83, I shall find rantum scantum work at Cyprus, Paphos, and Cythera.
So rantum-scootum a. (U.S.)
1885Harper's Mag. Mar. 614/1 He's a deal sight more serious-minded than most of the rantum-scootum boys. |