naughty list
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Certainly connected with, and possibly derived from, the lyrics of a Christmas carol, "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town":
He's makin a list / and checkin it twice / He's gonna find out / who's naughty or nice
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (Southern England): (file)
Noun
[edit]naughty list (plural naughty lists)
- According to Christmas folklore, a list kept by Santa Claus of children who have been naughty, and who will therefore not be given as many presents.
- Antonym: Christmas list
- (by extension) Any hypothetical list of naughty people.
- You don't want to get on the FBI's naughty list.