carl

n. a very old word for a man who is rude, impolite, or has no manners.

n. a man of low birth or one who is rude and ill-bred. This sense is archaic and rarely encountered outside of historical literature.

“In the old story, the carl refused to help the travellers find their way.”

“The protagonist was described as a surly carl, more interested in his own comfort than in the plight of the villagers.”

Archaic · Literary

n. a person who does not like to spend money.

n. a stingy or miserly person. This usage is primarily restricted to older Scots dialects and is now considered obsolete.

“The old carl would not give even a penny to the charity.”

“He had a reputation as a bitter carl who hoarded his wealth while his neighbours struggled through the winter.”

Archaic · Dialect