Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun slang A despicable person.
  • noun Australia A stupid person, a meathead
  • noun New Zealand A mischievous person, especially a child. May be used endearingly.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

rat +‎ bag

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Examples

Comments

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  • An Australian term of abuse - not as bad as it sounds. Can be used jovially.

    December 12, 2006

  • A troublemaker. According to Richard Tognetti, artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, ratbaggery is absolutely essential to the health of the performing arts. I'm inclined to agree. There should be more ratbaggery and more larrikins.

    August 25, 2008

  • "Red was just a tomboy, she didn't think about smiling or not smiling. There was a gap, now that Fish wasn't being the ratbag of the family, and Red was out to fill it. She beat boys at cricket and she terrorized the bike sheds at school with the way she could throw a punch."

    Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, p 63 of the Graywolf Press hardcover edition

    March 30, 2010