bashi-bazouk

noun2

1. •
   (historical) An irregular soldier of the Ottoman army, reputed to be brutal and undisciplined.

   • The Egyptians are not a military people, and have no liking for military service. There is nothing of the swashbuckler or Bashi-Bazouk about them. — 1893
2. •
   (figurative, old-fashioned) One who does work outside regular employment; an irregular.

   • Hard-working boys are these juvenile Bashi-Bazouks of the newspaper trade. And I am glad to observe, for the edification of social economists, with scarcely an exception, very honest boys. — 1859