Langimage
English

hooligan

|hoo/li/gan|

B2

/ˈhuːlɪɡən/

rowdy youth

Etymology
Etymology Information

'hooligan' originates from the Irish surname 'Houlihan', which was associated with a rowdy family in London.

Historical Evolution

'Houlihan' transformed into the English word 'hooligan' in the late 19th century, becoming synonymous with rowdy behavior.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to a specific family known for rowdiness, but over time it evolved to describe any young person engaging in disruptive behavior.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a young person who engages in violent or disruptive behavior, often in a group.

The hooligans vandalized the park last night.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45