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a person of low moral character, often involved in crime or shady activities
What is the origin of the term "lowlife" and how is it used?
"lowlife" is an English slang term that appeared in the early 20th century, combining "low" to indicate social or moral inferiority with "life" to describe a person's existence or character. It was originally used to refer to people considered disreputable, criminal, or morally corrupt. The term spread in newspapers, literature, and everyday speech to label individuals involved in crime, vice, or other shady activities. It is clearly derogatory, intended to insult or condemn someone's character, and is rarely neutral; it can appear in informal and journalistic contexts alike.
