hoon

Definition

A worthless person; a hooligan or lout.

Etymology

Uncertain; used initially as a general term of abuse. It first appeared in print in Capricornia (1938) by Australian writer Xavier Herbert (1901–1984); in a 1941 letter Herbert stated he had heard the term in his youth.

Example Sentences

• "'You flash hoon,' he went on, 'Kiddin' you're white, eh?[…].'"
• "When the girls were sick, the hoons would beat the shit out of them and put them back on the street."
• "Police have impounded an average of 10 cars a day since hoon laws were introduced by the State Government in June 2006. Hoon related offences include burnouts, doughnuts, drag racing, repeated driving while disqualified and high-level speeding. Offences are detailed in section 84C of the Road Safety Act 1986."