GREAT UNWASHED Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "great unwashed" is a figurative expression often used to refer to the masses of common people or the general population who lack refinement, sophistication, or social status. This phrase carries a pejorative connotation, suggesting that these individuals are uncultured, uneducated, or lacking in manners.
The term "great unwashed" traces its origins to the mid-19th century in Britain, where it was initially employed to belittle the working-class people who were deemed dirty or unkempt due to their limited access to bathing facilities. Over time, the phrase expanded in meaning to include not only those considered physically unclean but also those perceived as socially undesirable or unsophisticated.
In contemporary usage, the term "great unwashed" is typically employed in a dismissive, sarcastic, or mocking tone to describe a collective group of individuals who lack social decorum or intellectual refinement. It is often utilized by those who consider themselves part of a perceived elite or cultured class.
While the phrase may be employed idiomatically in various contexts, it is crucial to recognize that its usage perpetuates elitist attitudes and can reinforce social divisions. As such, it is advisable to exercise caution to avoid demeaning or marginalizing others through the use of such terminology.
Common Misspellings for GREAT UNWASHED
- great unwashmd
- great unwashad
- great unwashgd
- great unwashet
- great unwashel
- grateunwashed
- g reat unwashed
- gr eat unwashed
- gre at unwashed
- grea t unwashed
- great u nwashed
- great un washed
- great unw ashed
- great unwa shed
- great unwas hed
- great unwash ed
- great unwashe d
Etymology of GREAT UNWASHED
The expression "the great unwashed" is a figure of speech that originated in mid-19th century England. It refers to the general masses or the common people, often suggesting a lack of refinement or cleanliness. The term is believed to have been coined by the writer and critic, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, in his 1839 novel "England and the English". However, another theory suggests that it emerged from earlier phrases like "the unwashed multitude" or "the unwashed masses" used in political discourse to describe the lower classes who did not have access to proper facilities for bathing. It is important to note that the term "great unwashed" is generally considered derogatory and condescending in nature.
Idioms with the word GREAT UNWASHED
-
the great unwashed
The idiom "the great unwashed" refers to the lower classes or the common people who lack refinement, education, or social status. It is often used in a derogatory or condescending manner to describe those who are perceived as being ignorant or uncultured.
