Playful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children.

Origin: The word 'mischief' comes from the Old French term 'meschief,' which means 'misfortune' or 'harm.' This, in turn, is derived from the verb 'meschever,' meaning 'to come to grief' or 'to fail,' composed of the prefix 'mes-' (from Latin 'minus,' meaning 'less') and 'chever' (from Vulgar Latin 'capāre,' meaning 'to come to a head').
Historical and Cultural Context: First recorded in English during the 13th century, 'mischief' initially referred to a more serious form of harm or injury. Over time, its use became more associated with minor annoyances or playful naughtiness, particularly in the context of children's behavior.
Evolution: As the word evolved, its meaning shifted from serious misfortune to a lighter, more playful connotation. This semantic shift is mirrored in other languages with cognates, such as the Italian 'misfatto' and Spanish 'desgracia,' which retain more serious connotations.
Modern Relevance: Today, 'mischief' is commonly used to describe playful or harmless pranks and antics, often attributed to children or playful animals. It can also be used in legal contexts, where 'criminal mischief' refers to the willful damage of property.

The word 'mischief' was once synonymous with serious misfortune but has evolved to describe playful antics, showing how language can soften over time.