Talk:blackguard

'Blaggards of the Year' - article in the Boston Globe discussing blackguard, blaggard, and blagger.--Larrybob 20:57, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

The article cited above states: "But blackguard is the spelling, whatever the word's origins; blaggard is not yet a respectable alternative (check your dictionary)."

Etymology

We mention the black liveries and boots, or the sootiness, of menials. Chambers 1908 says: "originally applied to the lowest menials about a court, who took charge of the pots, kettles, etc." So it could refer to those black metal objects. Equinox ◑ 04:29, 28 April 2019 (UTC)