rag-and-bone man

[ rag-uhn-bohn ]

noun

, British.

1. a peddler who buys and sells used clothes, rags, etc.; junkman.

rag-and-bone man

noun

1. a man who buys and sells discarded clothing, furniture, etc Also calledragmanragpicker US equivalentjunkman

Word History and Origins

Origin of rag-and-bone man¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The things were sold for next to nothing to such as cared to buy them, and the local rag-and-bone man reaped a fine harvest.

From Project Gutenberg

"The 'ouse, mum," said the rag-and-bone man, whose profession demanded tact and politeness.

From Project Gutenberg

He is like the hangman or jailer or rag-and-bone man; a necessary evil.

From Project Gutenberg

In her indescribable childish way she would coquet with a tax-collector or a rag-and-bone man or the Archbishop of Canterbury.

From Project Gutenberg

One "nark" was a rag-and-bone man, who worked the country for miles around.

From Project Gutenberg