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A.Word.A.Day--scalawag

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scalawag (SKAL-uh-wag) noun, also scallywag or scallawag

1. A rascal.

2. In US history, a white Southerner who acted in support of the Reconstruction after the Civil War.

[Of unknown origin.]

"But too often, critics say, the law is part of the problem. Past and present police officers have been linked to kidnappings. When Mr. Marohombsar was killed, a local police officer was among those found in his hideout. 'There are scalawags in the police who are involved in kidnapping,' said Col. Alan Purisima, Pacer's chief." Wayne Arnold and Carlos H. Conde; In Manila, Kidnapping as a Business Expense; The New York Times; Jan 28, 2003.

"Directors Eric Bergeron and Don Paul have been meticulous in re-creating the feel of the Road movies and enhancing them with the boundless magic of animation. Their scalawags are a pair of con artists called Tulio (Kevin Kline) and Miguel (Kenneth Branagh)." Louis B. Hobson; El Dorado is a Gem; The Calgary Sun (Canada); Mar 31, 2000.

This week's theme: words to describe people.

X-Bonus

I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. -Dwight D. Eisenhower, US general and 34th president (1890-1969)

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