scab
a person who is hated by others
TRANSLATION
scab = jemand der von anderen verachtet wird; der Streikbrecher --- How important is this English word? scab: 2,890,000 Google Hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
If the group is found to be hiring labour to counter a strike, Britain's General Union has threatened legal action against employment agencies under 2004 regulations designed to stop companies breaking strikes using SCAB labour.
(The Guardian Unlimited)
(The Guardian Unlimited)
Did you
know?
scab
slang noun (offensive)
- A person regarded as contemptible.
- A worker who refuses membership in a labour union.
- An employee who works while others are on strike; a strike breaker.
- A person hired to replace a striking worker.
(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)
Also:
- A crust discharged from and covering a healing wound (Wundschorf)
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WORD ORIGIN
Scab is derived from the Old English sceabb (circa 1250) meaning to itch, as in a skin disease. The meaning of a crust that forms over a wound is evidenced around 1400. Use of the word to describe a strike breaker was first recorded in 1806 and was derived from an earlier sense of someone who refuses to join a trade union.
(adapted from the Online Etymology Dictionary)
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SYNONYMS
In the sense of someone who is regarded with contempt:
scum, skunk, snake, mongrel, good-for-nothing, swine, vermin, trash
**Please note that in this context, these expressions are highly insulting and should be avoided.**
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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS TODAY
say something like:
“He has a reputation for being a real scab who treats everyone in an awful manner, including the people in his own department.”
slang noun (offensive)
- A person regarded as contemptible.
- A worker who refuses membership in a labour union.
- An employee who works while others are on strike; a strike breaker.
- A person hired to replace a striking worker.
(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)
Also:
- A crust discharged from and covering a healing wound (Wundschorf)
---
WORD ORIGIN
Scab is derived from the Old English sceabb (circa 1250) meaning to itch, as in a skin disease. The meaning of a crust that forms over a wound is evidenced around 1400. Use of the word to describe a strike breaker was first recorded in 1806 and was derived from an earlier sense of someone who refuses to join a trade union.
(adapted from the Online Etymology Dictionary)
---
SYNONYMS
In the sense of someone who is regarded with contempt:
scum, skunk, snake, mongrel, good-for-nothing, swine, vermin, trash
**Please note that in this context, these expressions are highly insulting and should be avoided.**
---
IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS TODAY
say something like:
“He has a reputation for being a real scab who treats everyone in an awful manner, including the people in his own department.”
