badling

English

Etymology 1

Perhaps from Middle English *badling, from Old English bædling (“an effeminate person”), or simply bad +‎ -ling.

Noun

badling (plural badlings)

1. (rare) One who is considered bad (for example, due to being effeminate).
   • 2011, R. T. Raichev, Murder at the Villa Byzantine:

     The presence of the badling – poor little Clemmie – was causing particular tension.

   • 2001, Peter Novobatzky, Ammon Shea, Insulting English:

     "After the storm, all the women and children bailed desperately to keep the lifeboat from sinking. Not Lucas the badling, though. He just hopped up and down in the stern, flapping his arms in the air and exclaiming, 'Oh my, oh, my!'"

Synonyms

• loser; see also Thesaurus:worthless person, Thesaurus:effeminate man

See also

• baddie

Etymology 2

Perhaps from an alteration of paddling.

Noun

badling (plural badlings)

1. A brood, group, or flock of ducks.

Anagrams

• Balding, Bigland, balding, blading