Peck's bad boy

noun

¦peks-
: one whose bad behavior is a source of embarrassment or annoyance

Word History

Etymology

from the book Peck's Bad Boy and his Pa (1883) by George Wilbur Peck †1916 American journalist, humorist, and politician

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Peck's bad boy was in 1883

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near Peck's bad boy

Cite this Entry

“Peck's bad boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Peck%27s%20bad%20boy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!