taupie

(chiefly, Scotland) foolish or awkward youngster.

(dated, chiefly, British) An uncultured, crude and unrefined or uncouth ill-bred person.

(Scotland, Northern England) A daft person.

(British, especially, Scotland, and, Northern Ireland, derogatory, religious slur) An Irish Catholic.

A Scottish term for a stupid boy or foolish young man — but with the interesting secondary sense of someone who plays the fool deliberately to avoid responsibility or to gain advantage. The daft laddie persona is a recurring archetype in Scottish folklore and humour: the apparent simpleton who turns out to be shrewder than he lets on.