lumpenproletariat

[ luhm-puhn-proh-li-tair-ee-uht ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the lowest level of the proletariat comprising unskilled workers, vagrants, and criminals and characterized by a lack of class identification and solidarity.

lumpenproletariat

/ ˌlʌmpənˌprəʊlɪˈtɛərɪət /

noun

1. (esp in Marxist theory) the amorphous urban social group below the proletariat, consisting of criminals, tramps, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of lumpenproletariat¹

1920–25; < German (Marx, 1850), equivalent to Lumpen rag or Lumpen-, combining form of Lump ragamuffin + Proletariat proletariat

Word History and Origins

Origin of lumpenproletariat¹

German, literally: ragged proletariat