hoodlum
UK[ˈhuːdləm]US[ˈhʊdləm]
n
A violent criminal, especially one who is part of a gang.
n
A young troublemaker or delinquent.
Etymology
The origin of 'hoodlum' is famously obscure and debated, making its journey into English a story of folk etymology and urban legend. It first appeared in San Francisco newspapers around 1870-1872, referring to young street ruffians. One popular but unverified tale claims it originated from a reporter misreading or reversing the name of a gang leader called "Muldoon" as "Noodlum," which then evolved into "Hoodlum." Another theory suggests a Bavarian German dialect origin from 'Haderlump,' meaning a ragged good-for-nothing. Regardless of its true source, the word was quickly adopted into American slang, shedding any clear morphological parts to become a monomorphemic label for a violent troublemaker or gangster.
Analysis
The word 'hoodlum' is a simplex word. It does not break down into meaningful, reusable morphemes within the English language system. It is considered a loanword of uncertain origin, entering American English in the late 19th century.
Examples
The store owner was threatened by a young hoodlum demanding money.
The film portrays the life of a hoodlum rising through the ranks of organized crime.
He was just a neighborhood kid who got in with the wrong crowd and became a petty hoodlum.