A rascal; a worthless fellow. The κάκου κόροκος κακὸν ὠὸν of the Greeks.
1855. In the language of his class, the Perfect Bird generally turns out to be “a bad egg.”—S. A. Hammett (‘Philip Paxton’), ‘Captain Priest,’ p. 319.
[See BIRD.]
1863. Nigger Bill is evidently a “bad egg.” Fined three dollars and costs.—Rocky Mtn. News, Jan. 22 (Denver).
1864. “A bad egg,” a term invented, we believe, by Mr. Sala, to indicate a fellow who had not proved to be as good as his promise.—The Athenæum, Oct. 29, p. 559/1. (N.E.D.)
