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Mucky pup
01
a person, especially a child, mocked as dirty or messy
Informal
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Human
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
mucky pups
What is the origin of the term "mucky pup" and how is it used?
"Mucky pup" is a slang term that appeared in English in the early 20th century, combining "mucky" (dirty or messy) with "pup" (young dog) to describe a person—especially a child—mocked as untidy, dirty, or messy. The term uses playful, animal imagery to emphasize sloppiness or childish disorder. It is used in informal, often humorous or teasing contexts, such as conversation, family speech, or casual writing. The term is mildly derogatory but usually playful rather than harsh; its offensiveness depends on tone and context.
Examples
The toddler came in from the garden a proper mucky pup covered in mud.
