scruff

[shabani]

Is there any American word for scruff?


thanks

 

[riquecohen]

Is there any American word for scruff?


thanks

Yes. It is scruff.

 

[shabani]

Thanks riquecohen
So why is it that in most dictionaries they're marked as British?
Is it common in the US?
If not, is there a more common informal word meaning a dirty and untidy person?

thanks

 

[susiedqq]

I've never seen it as a noun, but we do use "scruffy" as an adjective.

He is really scruffy looking.

He is wearing those scruffy shoes again.

 

[riquecohen]

Aha! "Scruff" as a noun meaning a dirty person is not used in AmE. I agree with susiedqq's post regarding "scruffy" as an adjective. Another adjective with the same meaning is "scuzzy." Both are very informal. The "scruff" that I was referring to is the back of the neck.

 

[5jj]

Another adjective with the same meaning is "scuzzy." Both are very informal.

To me, 'scuzzy' is somewhat dirtier than 'scruffy', and also may suggest 'smelly'. I have one or two fairly scruffy friends, but I would not want to go too close to a scuzzy person.

 

[Rover_KE]

. . . is there a more common informal word meaning a dirty and untidy person?

thanks

Shabani, this context should have been given in your first post - not the third.

Rover

 

[shabani]

oh sorry! I thought it only had one meaning.

 

[BobK]

oh sorry! I thought it only had one meaning.

How long have you been learning English :-? (If you were a small furry animal, your mother would shake you gently by the scruff of the neck for making that sort of dangerous assumption.)

b