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a spoiled, badly behaved, or selfish child
What is the origin of the term "brat" and how is it used?
"Brat" is an English term dating back to the 16th century, originally meaning a child or young offspring, sometimes specifically of animals. By the 18th–19th centuries, it took on the figurative sense of a spoiled, badly behaved, or selfish child. The term is widely used in everyday speech, literature, and parenting contexts to criticize children's behavior. It is derogatory but mild, often expressing annoyance rather than deep insult, and can be used humorously or affectionately depending on tone.
a small pork sausage
a confident, rebellious person, often female, with a sassy or carefree attitude
What is the origin and meaning of the word "brat"?
The slang term brat traditionally referred to a badly behaved or spoiled child, with its earliest uses in English dating back to the 16th century, possibly from a Scots word for a coarse garment or from Old Irish meaning "cloak," later evolving to mean an unruly youngster. In modern slang, while it can still carry the negative sense of someone acting entitled or petulant, it has also taken on more playful and even empowering connotations, especially in youth culture and online spaces. Today, calling someone a "brat" can be a teasing or affectionate way to describe a person who is cheeky, rebellious, or unapologetically bold, and in certain contexts it is embraced as part of a confident, nonconformist persona celebrated in fashion, music, and social media.
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