riffraff
See also: riff-raff
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Old French rif et raf (“one and all”), of Germanic origin. The first word is from rifler (“to scrape off”) and the last is from raffler, related to rafler (“to plunder”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
riffraff (usually uncountable, plural riffraffs)
- The rabble; crowds; the common people.
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:commonalty
- They started charging a modest fee in an effort to keep the riffraff out.
- 2019 December 10, Yacht Club Games, Shovel Knight: King of Cards, Nintendo 3DS, scene: ending:
- Mom: [Walks away with King Pridemoor.] / King Knight: 'MOM, WAIT! ..... MOM!! *SIGH* WELL, FINALLY, THE RIFF-RAFF... AND MY MOM, ARE GONE.'
- Sweepings; refuse.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
the rabble
Further reading edit
- Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.