Raggamuffins

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term used to describe street children or young people dressed in ragged clothing, often characterized by their carefree attitude and lively spirit
2. Referring to those who wear tattered garments, typically associated with urban environments, and embody a rebellious or playful demeanor
3. Denoting youthful individuals who may appear disheveled or poorly dressed, yet possess a vibrant energy and a sense of resilience in their lifestyle

Etymology: "Raggamuffins" is the plural of "raggamuffin," a variant spelling of "ragamuffin." The earliest English use appears in the 14th-century poem "Piers Plowman," where Ragamoffyn is the name of a demon, and the word's origin is uncertain, though its "rag" part refers to ragged clothing. Its meaning of a shabby, poorly dressed person came later, and it was often used with contempt, so the lively, resilient sense in your definition is a modern shift.

Synonyms: street urchins, beggars, ragamuffins