harum-scarum

== English == === Etymology === Uncertain. Likely from hare (“harass, harry”) 'em (“them”) and scare 'em (“frighten them”); alternately the first element may be from hare (“rabbit-like animals”), or the second element may be a variant of stare. Attested from the late 17th century. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˌhɛəɹəmˈskɛəɹəm/ === Adjective === harum-scarum (not comparable) wild, careless, irresponsible 1832, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Eugene Aram Lester's good heart will be to hear that little Peter is so improved;--no longer a dissolute, harum-scarum fellow, throwing away his money, and always in debt. ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === harum-scarum (not comparable) wildly, carelessly, irresponsibly 1800, Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent […] for he never looked after anything at all, but harum-scarum called for everything as if we were conjurors, or he in a public-house. === Noun === harum-scarum (plural harum-scarums) A giddy, rash person. === References ===