Churl
Noun
Definition: An impolite and surly person.
Synonyms: Boor, Lout, Oaf
Antonyms: Gentleman, Civilized person
- He was dismissed from the party for behaving like a churl.
- The churl's rude remarks offended everyone at the gathering.
- 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:
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:
"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:
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.