hoi polloi

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Antonyms 1.3.4 Translations

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[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

hoi polloi (uncountable) (collective noun)

1. The common people; the masses.
2. (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