tawpie

English

Etymology

Of Scandinavian origin, akin to Norwegian tåpe 'simpleton'

Noun

tawpie (plural tawpies)

1. (chiefly Scotland) foolish or awkward youngster
   • 1787, Robert Burns, Epistle to William Creech:

     Now gawkies, tawpies, gowks, and fools, / Frae colleges and boarding-schools,

Related terms

• taupie

See also

• boy, lad
• rascal, rogue, scamp
• wag

References

• Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967