ralphie
Ralphie (noun) means British slang for a scruffy or unruly schoolchild. Example: “Don't be such a ralphie, tuck your shirt in.”
How to use ralphie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slang, mostly regional British term for a messy or badly behaved schoolkid.
Very informal and regional (north-east England) — most English speakers won't recognise this sense.
Word forms
- Plural
- ralphies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't be such a _____, tuck your shirt in.
Etymology
Said to derive from Ralph Gardener's High School, a school in North Shields, England once known for its rough reputation, plus the diminutive "-ie".