royal scamps
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Highwaymen who never rob any but rich persons, and that without ill treating them. See SCAMP.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “royal scamps” mean?
Highwaymen who never rob any but rich persons, and that without ill treating them. See SCAMP.
Is “royal scamps” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.