rough scuffn.
/ˈrʌf skʌf/, U.S. /ˈrəf ˌskəf/ U.S. Now rare and historical.
1. A low, coarse, rough, or disreputable person, a ruffian. Also (with singular or plural agreement): such people collectively; riff-raff, rabble. Cf. rough scruff n. at rough adj. Compounds 5a.Earliest in attributive use.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > low or vulgar person > [noun]
gadlinga1300
geggea1300
churlc1300
filec1300
jot1362
scoutc1380
beggara1400
carla1400
turnbroach14..
villainc1400
gnoffc1405
fellowc1425
cavelc1430
haskardc1487
hastardc1489
foumart1508
strummel?a1513
knapper1513
hogshead?1518
jockeya1529
dreng1535
sneakbill1546
Jack1548
rag1566
scald1575
huddle and twang1578
sneaksby1580
companion1581
lowling1581
besognier1584
patchcock1596
grill1597
sneaksbill1602
scum1607
turnspit1607
cocoloch1610
compeer1612
dust-worm1621
besonioa1625
world-worma1625
besognea1652
gippo1651
Jacky1653
mechanic1699
fustya1732
grub-worm1752
raff1778
person1782
rough scuff1816
spalpeen1817
bum1825
sculpin1834
soap-lock1840
tinka1843
'Arry1874
scruff1896
scruffo1959
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > the lowest class > [noun] > the rabble
commona1350
rascala1382
rascaldry?1457
routc1475
tag and ragc1535
riff-raff1545
rabble1549
rascabilia1557
rabblement1565
bran1574
rascability1583
rascality1583
canaille1588
canalliary1600
canaglia1607
taga1616
ribble-rabble1635
volge1639
rabble rout1650
tag-rag and bob-tail1660
mobile1676
mobility1690
mob1691
rag-tag (also rag, tag) and bob-tail1725
kennel1726
rough scruff1814
rough scuff1816
tag-rag1826
rascalry1827
rascalment1832
doggery1843
polloi1856
raggle-taggle1958
1816 E. R. Sabin Life Charles Observator xxvi. 145 I am too hasty, to judge of the character of a whole town from the conduct of a few unruly, ill-educated, ruff-scuff boys.
1830 M. E. Talbot Albert & Louise in Rurality v. 49 He would..leave these rough-scuffs to preach among themselves.
1886 Atlantic Monthly Nov. 604/1 The so-called militia was anything but a guarantee of peace. The ruff-scuff enrolled by that name were far too degraded to [etc.].
1904 Granite Monthly Feb. 103/2 When we were ready to sail we shipped all the rough scuffs and rapscallions that were stranded in the port.
1921 H. Pendexter Kings of Missouri ii. 37 The usual rough-scuff of river loungers was draped over the long bar.
1984 J. B. Sanford Winters of that Country 147 A queer cove he must've been, to embrace only the roughscuff of the world.
2. Rough or poor fodder. rare.
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the world > food and drink > food > animal food > [noun] > fodder > poor fodder
rough scuff1902
1902 H. F. Day Pine Tree Ballads 4 Drat the man who feeds out ruff-scuff, wood and wire from the swale.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1816