Churl

Noun

Definition: An impolite and surly person.

Synonyms: Boor, Lout, Oaf

Antonyms: Gentleman, Civilized person

Examples:
  • He was dismissed from the party for behaving like a churl.
  • The churl's rude remarks offended everyone at the gathering.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of a churl as someone lacking good manners and being ill-mannered.
  • The word "churlish" can be used as an adjective to describe a churl's behavior.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "churl" comes from Old English "cierl" which meant "a peasant" or "a freeman of low rank". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "kerla" meaning "man".

Historical Usage:

In medieval times, "churl" referred to a member of the peasant class or someone of low social standing. Over time, its meaning shifted to describe someone who was uncouth and ill-mannered.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Manners maketh man, and churls maketh misery."

Explanation:

This phrase highlights the importance of good manners and suggests that churlish behavior leads to unhappiness and conflict.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "churl" with "churlish". While they are related, "churl" refers to the person exhibiting the rude behavior while "churlish" describes the behavior itself.

Explanation:

Churlish behavior is characterized by rudeness, but a churl is the person who displays such behavior.

Share: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn