or -thrift, subs. phr. (old).—A good-for-nothing; a ne’er-do-well (GROSE).
1577–87. HOLINSHED, History of Scotland, an. 1427. For shortlie vpon his deliuerance, he gathered a power of wicked SCAPETHRIFTS, and with the same comming into Inuernes, burnt the towne.
1862. THACKERAY, The Adventures of Philip, ii. I could not always be present to guard the little SCAPE GRACE.
1885. Daily Telegraph, 29 Sept. The SCAPE-GRACES and ne’er-do-wells you considered dead a generation since.
