rag-and-bone shop

English

Etymology

Derived from the Victorian practice of literally collecting rags and bones from households for resale.

Noun

rag-and-bone shop (plural rag-and-bone shops)

  1. (UK) A dealership selling cheap unwanted second-hand goods, or bric-a-brac, that have been collected for nothing as disposable items.

Related terms

  • rag-and-bone man
Last modified on 10 November 2012, at 20:46