E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Scar’amouch.
A braggart and fool, very valiant in words, but a poltroon. According to Dyche, the Italian posture-master, Tiberio Fiurelli, was surnamed Scaramouch Fiurelli. He came to England in 1673, and astonished John Bull with feats of agility.
