bad-boy
UK[ˈbæd bɔɪ]US[ˈbæd bɔɪ]
n
A man or boy who behaves in a rebellious, disobedient, or anti-social way.
n
A man whose behavior, especially towards women, is excitingly attractive because it is dangerous or not respectable.
Etymology
The compound "bad boy" is a relatively modern English formation, emerging in the 19th century. Its logic is transparently literal, combining the adjective "bad," denoting undesirable qualities, with "boy," signifying a male, typically young. The term's evolution from a simple descriptor of a naughty child to a cultural archetype is key. By the mid-20th century, it developed a second, potent connotation in popular culture, where "bad" paradoxically implies a thrilling, rule-breaking masculinity that is socially attractive, transforming the term's literal negativity into a complex symbol of rebellion and allure.
Analysis
This is a compound noun formed from two English words. 'Bad' originates from Old English 'bæddel' (hermaphrodite) or possibly influenced by Old English 'bædan' (to defile), evolving to mean 'defective, evil, wicked'. 'Boy' originates from Middle English 'boi' (servant, knave) or Anglo-French 'abuié' (fettered), evolving to mean a young male.
Examples
He was the class bad-boy, always in trouble with the teachers.
The actor built his career on playing charming bad-boy roles.
She had a history of dating dangerous bad-boys.