These words refer to unprincipled people, especially men, who are unethical or immoral in their behaviour, particularly for their own gain or pleasure. Scoundrel and villain are the strongest terms here, referring to someone who will stop at nothing to gain this own ends. Though a scoundrel , by implication, often works by subterfuge, lies and deception, the word’s strong disapproval suggests the actual harming of other people in cruel of needless ways: a scoundrel who sold sub-standard concrete for a school building, which later collapsed, killing several children. The word is losing some of its force, however, and can now be applied as a term of endearment for someone who is brash, dauntless or impetuous in his life of affections: admitting that she liked the scoundrel for the brazen way he chased after her. Villain has had a somewhat similar history; it literally describes a man of unprinciple, depraved action, one to whom behaviour as a scoundrel comes naturally. It thus took on an anti-hero connotation but, like scoundrel , it is frequently used with some affection: Hitler has been called the greatest villain in history; a real villain with the girls.

Heel has recently become the most popular informal term here for any person one disapproves of, especially one who may not act illegally but who offends common decency in some way. Heinous offences are not necessarily implied by the word: acting like a perfect heel in promising to meet her then standing her up cold. Cad now give a 19th century flavour and is seldom used, except comically. It once specifically suggested a man who treated women without respect: a cad who ruined her virtue and then refused to marry her. Knave is even more archaic in flavour, referring to any liar, cheat, deceiver or scoundrel. Once as strong in condemnation as scoundrel , the word is now weak-sounding and seldom used: a sly knave , always scheming.

The remaining words are vague about the offences committed by the person referred to; the words may suggest disreputable or unfeeling people rather than those committed to outright immorality or villainy. Rascal suggests an amoral person, usually a man, who treats standards of conduct lightly and is inconsiderate of the feelings of others when these stand in the way of his desires: a rascal who went about cadging drinks from everyone at the bar. The word often suggests an appealing eccentric or curmudgeon and is often used affectionately as a way of accepting the faults of a loved one: never dreaming that the handsome rascal she was going out with would end up marrying her. The word is used also for infants or pets, implying a lovable liveliness or cuteness: obvious by his cries that it was the little rascal’s feeding time; teaching the comical rascal to beg for scraps. Scamp suggests a high-spirited or wandering rake or good-for-nothing who seeks amusement, pleasure or gain regardless of the consequences. Used unfavourably, the word denotes a tricky or evasive fellow ?a schemer and a cheat. Sometimes it is applied endearingly to a playful pet or to a person given to pranks or escapades: The puppies were happy little scamps .

Scallywag is now a half-admiring word for any amoral taker of pleasures; one who may disregard niceties or decorum. The word was once more opprobrious, like scoundrel . It was originally a term of contempt suggesting someone who was disloyal, unprincipled and willing to do anything to get ahead. Now, like other words here, it can be used in vague ways as an affectionate term: smiling as she upbraided the darling little scallywag . Rogue , like knave , was once strongly disapproving but now has chiefly an archaic flavour that makes it seldom used, except comically or endearingly to describe a zesty, brawling, devil-may-care reveller: a rogue who could always be counted on to cut up at parties and generally cause all sorts of devilment.