ragtag and bobtail

Or rag, tag, and bobtail;

noun

1. the riffraff; rabble.

   The ragtag and bobtail of every nation poured into the frontier in search of gold.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ragtag and bobtail¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Yesterday we made an excursion through the Gap of Dunloe, a famous gorge in the mountains around Killarney, and were set upon by the whole fraternity—ragtag and bobtail.

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The unknown and the ragtag and bobtail of the city flung themselves on the iron grille of the choir, which they broke through, crying: “Long live the Beggar!”

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Without the populace having any hand in it, the ragtag and bobtail of the strangers became bolder and shouted more and more.

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