A hoodlum often associated with English football.
Hooligan
Example Sentences
"Football hooligans caused trouble."
"The hooligans were arrested."
Etymology & History
British term for rowdy, violent young troublemaker, possibly from Irish surname Hooligan. First recorded in London police reports 1890s describing street gangs. Football hooliganism became major issue in Britain 1970s-80s. While used internationally now, the term and phenomenon are particularly associated with British culture.
Word Details
📍
Region
London/Cockney
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Era
1970s
✓
Language
Mild
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Formality
Slang
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition
British Slang from A to Zed
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