mascalzone

scoundrel

noun mahs-kahl-TSOH-neh Rare

Origin: From Spanish 'mascalzone', possibly from 'mascalcia' (farriery) — a groom who did dirty work.

Also means

rascal

Usage Note

Mascalzone is an affectionate or mild insult depending on tone — it can be playful (sei un mascalzone! — you little rogue!) or genuinely derogatory. The feminine is mascalzona, though the masculine form is often used generically. Plural: i mascalzoni / le mascalzone.

Examples

"Quel mascalzone mi ha rubato il portafoglio!"

Natural Translation

That scoundrel stole my wallet!

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