larrikin

n. Australian
A person given to comical or outlandish behavior.

[Origin unknown.]

Larrikin, an Australian slang term for a clownish or rowdy person, became a popular word since the untimely death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter who was killed by a stingray while filming a documentary. Here is how The Australian described him:

"He was a larrikin: a person who pays little attention to what others think about them, who breaks the rules of social convention and is prone to outlandish behaviour. The thing about Irwin is that he did it with crocodiles."

Link: Serious role of a master showman | News | The Australian

Posted September 6, 2006.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

hoodlum, rowdy