hoi polloi
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Ancient Greek οἱ (hoi), “‘the (plural)’”), and πολλοί (polloi), “‘many’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˌhɔɪ pəˈlɔɪ/, SAMPA: /%hOI p@"lOI/
- Audio (US)help, file
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
hoi polloi (uncountable) (collective noun)
- The common people; the masses.
- (nonstandard) The elite (hoi oligoi).
[edit] Usage notes
- As hoi 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 hoity-toity.
[edit] Synonyms
- (common people): the canaille, the common people, the great unwashed, the herd, the many, the masses, the multitude, the peasantry (when used figuratively), the proletariat (as a class), the rabble, the rank-and-file, the riffraff, the working class
[edit] Antonyms
- (elite): the elite
[edit] Translations
the common people
the elite