hoi polloi

[hoi puh-loi]

plural noun

1. Often the hoi polloi the common people; the masses.

hoi polloi

/ ˌhɔɪ pəˈlɔɪ /

plural noun

1. derogatory,  the masses; common people

hoi polloi

1. The masses, the ordinary folk; the phrase is often used in a derogatory way to refer to a popular preference or incorrect opinion: “The hoi polloi may think that Fitzgerald is a great director, but those who know about film realize that his work is commercial and derivative.” From Greek, meaning “the many.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoi polloi¹

First recorded in 1835–40; written in Greek letters in 1668 ; from Greek hoi polloí “the many”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoi polloi¹

Greek, literally: the many