Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: “Rapscallion” (February 13, 2026)

Overview

In this episode, Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day podcast introduces “rapscallion” as the featured word. Host Peter Sokolowski delves into its meaning, provides illustrative usage, and offers a brief look at its playful linguistic history. The episode is rich in etymological insights and playful commentary on how English evolves to capture the nuances of mischief.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Usage

• Word: rapscallion
• Spelling: R-A-P-S-C-A-L-L-I-O-N
• Part of speech: Noun
• Meaning: “Someone who causes trouble, often in a mischievous way. It appears in the same sorts of contexts as words rascal and scamp.”
  [00:35]

Example in Context

• The host provides a sentence from the Record of Bergen:

  “Charlie Brown evolved into a world class underdog. Originally, Charlie Brown was a bit of a rapscallion, a bit of a wise ass, mouthner said. There is a certain point after a year or two when he starts to become the butt of jokes, when he starts being a lonely kid. Once Charles Schulz hit upon that Charlie Brown got it pretty bad for a long time.”
  [00:48]

Etymology and Word Development

• The podcast traces the origin and playful transformation of the word from “rascal”:
  • “‘Rascal’ has been part of English since the 15th century, but it apparently failed to fully capture the disagreeable nature of the wily knaves of yore.” [01:28]
  • “By the 16th century, English speakers had expanded ‘rascal’ to ‘rascallion’, but it seems that even that term didn’t sound quite mischievous enough.” [01:38]
  • “Eventually, ‘rascallion’ was further altered, resulting in the snappier, plosive-enhanced word ‘rapscallion’.” [01:45]

Wordplay and Fun Facts

• The host injects playful commentary:
  • “And although rapscallion has zero connection with scallion, it does add a figuratively spicy kick to one’s speech, not unlike ‘chew bacon’ and other cheeky insults that may be of interest and use with your word of the day.” [01:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the mischievous connotations:
  “Rapscallion is a noun. It refers to someone who causes trouble, often in a mischievous way.”
  — Peter Sokolowski [00:35]
• On the evolution from ‘rascal’:
  “‘Rascal’ has been part of English since the 15th century, but it apparently failed to fully capture the disagreeable nature of the wily knaves of yore.”
  — Peter Sokolowski [01:28]
• On word origins:
  “Eventually, rascallion was further altered, resulting in the snappier, plosive enhanced word rapscallion.”
  — Peter Sokolowski [01:45]
• On playfulness:
  “Although rapscallion has zero connection with scallion, it does add a figuratively spicy kick to one’s speech, not unlike chew bacon and other cheeky insults…”
  — Peter Sokolowski [01:53]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:35 — Introduction of “rapscallion” and meaning
• 00:48 — Example sentence featuring Charlie Brown
• 01:28 — Etymological background (“rascal” to “rascallion”)
• 01:45 — Arrival at the modern form “rapscallion”
• 01:53 — Fun with language and proverbial “spicy kick”

Tone & Delivery

Peter Sokolowski maintains a tone that’s both educational and light-hearted, peppered with engaging wordplay and cultural references. The episode blends historical context with subtle humor, making the learning experience entertaining.

Summary:
This episode introduces listeners to “rapscallion,” shedding light on the word’s playful origins, its subtle distinctions from “rascal,” and serving up lively language trivia—all in under two minutes. Whether your goal is to broaden your vocabulary or simply inject a “spicy kick” into your diction, this edition delivers a delightful, memorable briefing on a mischievously charming word.