the term hoi polloi comes from the comic opera.
where does the term hoi polloi come from?
the comic opera
hoi polloi (, "hoi polloi", "the many") is an expression from greek that means "the many" or, in the strictest sense, "the people". in english, it has been given a negative connotation to signify deprecation of the working class, commoners, the masses or common people in a derogatory or (more often today) ironic sense. synonyms for hoi polloi, which also express the same or similar distaste for the common people felt by those who believe themselves to be superior, include "the plebeians" or "plebs", "the rabble", "the masses", "the dregs of society", "riffraff", "the herd", "the canaille", "the proles" (proletariat), and "peons".
hoi polloi
in an episode of "this american life", radio host ira glass uses the term hoi polloi while relaying a story about a woman who believes the letter 'q' should occur later in the alphabet. he goes on to say that "q does not belong in the middle of the alphabet where it is, with the hoi polloi of the alphabet, with your 'm' 'n' and 'p'. letters that will just join any word for the asking."
hoi polloi