subs. (American).—A boy rough. Also, a rough of either sex. Also (political), a low-class voter. Originally Californian. Cf., ARAB.
1872. Sacramento Weekly Union, 24 Feb., p. 2. All the boys to be trained as scriveners, tape-measurers, counter-hoppers, clerks, pettifoggers, polite loafers, street-hounds, HOODLUMS, and bummers.
1877. Los Angeles Express, 25 Aug. A gang of boys … associated for the purpose of stealing…. Their words of warning were ‘Huddle ’em. Huddle ’em:’ … soon contracted into HOODLUM.
1877. Boston Journal, Aug. You at the East have but little idea of the HOODLUMS of this city. They compose a class of criminals of both sexes, far more dangerous than are to be found in the Eastern cities. They travel in gangs, and are ready at any moment for the perpetration of any crime.
1877. The Congregationalist, 26 Sept. A newspaper man attempting to coin a word to designate a gang of young street Arabs under the beck of one named ‘Muldoon,’ hit upon noodlums, simply reversing the leader’s name…. The compositor, taking the n for an h, printed it HOODLUM.
1877. Morning Call, 27 Oct. The rowdy element in the city … who were soon after designated as HOODLUMS.
1885. G. A. SALA, in Daily Telegraph, 12 Aug., p. 5, c. 5. In order to guard against the contingency of the white HOODLUMS, or roughs, coming down in force from the American quarter of the city [San Francisco], and ‘going for’ the Celestials.
1888. Missouri Republican, 31 March. It is conceded by all that the HOODLUMS have nominated weak men, and the citizens will have easy sailing on Tuesday.
1890. C. L. NORTON, Political Americanisms, s.v. HOODLUMS.—A general name for toughs. It originated on the Pacific coast, as the designation of a company of young ruffians in San Francisco (about 1868). Subsequently it spread Eastward and attained some political significance; as ‘the HOODLUM element in politics.’
1892. Pall Mall Gazette, 29 Feb., p. 2, c. 2. A right of public meeting dependent on the good will of the HOODLUM is not worth having.
1893. National Observer, 4 March, ix., 398. In America, home of the HOODLUM, where they turn their murderers into mayors.
