Hoi Polloi (1935 film)
WordNet

noun


(1)   The common people generally
"Separate the warriors from the mass"
"Power to the people"
WiktionaryText

Etymology


From , and .

Noun



  1. The common people; the masses.
  2. The elite (hoi oligoi).

Usage notes

  • As represents a definite article in Ancient Greek, some authorities consider that the construction the hoi polloi is redundant and should not be used in English.
  • Confusingly, the second definition is opposed to the first; it arose from a misunderstanding of the term, probably under influence of such terms as .

Synonyms

the canaille, the common people, the great unwashed, the herd, the many, the masses, the multitude, the peasantry , the proletariat , the rabble, the rank-and-file, the riffraff, the working class
 
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