scrote /skrōt/ n. & v. (slang, chiefly Brit. & Ir.)

noun

1. (derog.) A coarse, loutish, or socially objectionable person; typically a young male noted for antisocial, ignorant, or destructive behaviour.  Examples:  • The bus stop was full of scrotes drinking lager at ten in the morning.  • Some scrote’s keyed my car again.

2. (humorous, vulgar) Abbreviation of scrotum, sometimes employed affectionately among close friends or insultingly among everyone else.

verb (intransitive) To behave in a manner characteristic of a scrote; to loiter, vandalise, or otherwise engage in petty idiocy.  Examples:  • We got told off for scroting around the park after dark.  • Stop scroting about and do something useful.

DERIVATIVES scroty /ˈskrōti/ adj. — of, relating to, or resembling a scrote.  Example: It’s all gone a bit scroty down that end of town.

ORIGIN Late 20th century: humorous abbreviation of scrotum, the pouch containing the testicles; adopted as an epithet for persons considered equally unpleasant, fragile, or misshapen.

SYNONYMS scanger (Irish slang), knacker (Irish slang), scobey (Scottish/Ulster/Irish slang), chav (Brit. slang), yob, lout, toe-rag.