scofflaw
nounUS /ˈskɔfˌlɔ/
Etymology From scoff + law. Coined simultaneously by Mr Henry Irving Dale and Miss Kate L. Butler for a contest held in Boston in 1923 in which a word for "a lawless drinker of illegally made or illegally obtained liquor" was sought during the Prohibition era.
1
a criminal or lawbreaker, especially one who is openly contemptuous or dismissive of current laws or displays conspicuous or outward disrespect, distain, or disregard for the law
2
US One who habitually violates minor laws or fails to answer trivial court summonses (such as parking tickets).
- The scofflaw entered the scoflsloon. He leaned an elbow on the scoffbar and rested a foot on the scoffrail. 'Waddle'y' have?" said the scoffbartender. "A little tea," said the scofflaw.1925, Wholesale Grocery Review:
- If we are to scour out the scofflaws, we must first remove those particular laws at which nearly everybody scoffs.1926, The Independent, volume 117:
4 more examples
- Within six months, with the full cooperation of police throughout the state, the scofflaw rate was down to 22 per cent.1967, Police: The Journal Covering the Professional Interests of All Law Enforcement Personnel, volumes 12-13:
- At that time, appellant was informed that because there were unpaid tickets in the amount of $2,725.00, his Datsun had been declared a "scofflaw" car.1990, West's New York Supplement:
- 2001: 10th International Conference on High-Occupancy Vehicle Systems: Compendium of Technical Papers The signage will make it clear that if a motorist is an HOV scofflaw (i.e., violator of the vehicle code driving in the HOV-Only zone) that they will be subject to HOV violation fine of at least $271.
- Unrepentant scofflaw on the lam Layin' waste to all the best-laid plans2001, J. G. Thirlwell, “Heuldoch 7B”, in Flow, performed by Foetus:
- Related terms
- law unto oneself