Hoi polloi is an Ancient Greek expression meaning "the many", or in the strictest sense, "the majority". It is used in English to denote "the masses" or "the people", usually in a derogatory sense. Synonyms for "hoi polloi" include "... commoners, great unwashed, minions, multitude, plebeians, proletariat, rank and file, Riff Raff, the common people, the herd, the many, the plebs, the proles, the peons, the working class".
This is one of the most MISUSED words in the English language. Most people use it to mean the exact opposite of its real meaning. Often someone will say... "I am not dressed well enough to go out to that fancy place with the Hoi Poloi."
No comments:
Post a Comment