PhrasesHub

Rag-and-bone man

    Definitions

      • someone who collects and sells discarded items
        Referring to someone who gathers and sells old or discarded items, often used in a nostalgic or historical context

    Examples of Rag-and-bone man

    • The old antique shop on the corner used to be run by a rag-and-bone man.

      In the past, the person who ran the antique shop collected old and unwanted items, such as rags and bones, in order to resell them. The term "rag-and-bone man" refers to this type of collector or trader, and using it to describe the former owner of the antique shop highlights the fact that it used to specialize in selling old and valuable items.

    • The new antique dealer in town seems to be a modern-day rag-and-bone man.

      While the old antique shop was owned by a traditional rag-and-bone man who sold old and unwanted items, this new antique dealer seems to be following a similar business model by focusing on selling secondhand items that have historical or sentimental value.

    • The junkyard at the end of the street is where the rag-and-bone man comes to gather his scraps.

      While this modern-day version of the rag-and-bone man might have a shop, he also collects scraps and unwanted items from places like junkyards in order to resell them at a profit.

    • She's always looking for old books and trinkets at flea markets, acting just like a rag-and-bone woman.

      The term "rag-and-bone woman" is a female version of the more commonly used "rag-and-bone man", and it refers to a woman who collects and sells old and unwanted items. By likening someone's behavior to that of a rag-and-bone woman, we are highlighting their enthusiasm for finding and collecting secondhand items.

    • The old furniture in the attic was collecting dust for years, but today it's finally time to say farewell to those outdated pieces. We've contacted the rag-and-bone man to swap them for some much-needed coin.

      "Rag-and-bone man" refers to a person who collects unwanted items such as old clothes, worn-out furniture, and other scrap materials for recycling or resale purposes. In this case, the speaker thinks that the old furniture is useless, and they want to get rid of it in exchange for some money.

    • The town's rag-and-bone man has been making his rounds every Friday for as long as anyone can remember. He's a familiar sight on the street, pushing his cart filled with second-hand items.

      In this example, the speaker refers to the regular schedule of the rag-and-bone man, who comes to collect unwanted items every Friday. This is a common use of the idiom outside a specific context.

    • The antique shop owner is always on the lookout for rare finds, just like the rag-and-bone man scours the streets for hidden treasures.

      In this metaphorical use of the idiom, the speaker compares the antique shop owner's behavior to that of the rag-and-bone man. Both individuals are enthusiastic scavengers searching for valuable items, regardless of their initial state or perceived worth.

    • The valley is dotted with abandoned houses that have been left to deteriorate for decades. The rag-and-bone man has passed them by, seeing no value in the rotting wood and rusted metal.

      In this example, the speaker contrasts the items discarded by the rag-and-bone man with those that are considered worthless. The decaying structures in the valley have not caught the collector's attention, possibly due to the extensive damage or lack of potential use.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "rag-and-bone man" is used to describe someone who collects and sells discarded items. It can be used to refer to individuals who engage in this activity as a profession, or it can be used in a nostalgic or historical context to evoke images of the past when such individuals were more common. The idiom may also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is resourceful and able to find value in seemingly worthless things.

    Origin of "Rag-and-bone man"

    The term "rag-and-bone man" originated in 19th-century Britain, when individuals would travel around neighborhoods collecting ragged clothing and bones to sell to make a living. They would often use a horse and cart to transport the items they collected. The trade declined in the mid-20th century with the rise of waste disposal services and the availability of new materials. The idiom is now used to refer to this historical occupation and the individuals who engaged in it, as well as to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. Examples of the "rag-and-bone man" can be found in literature and popular culture, further solidifying its place in English idiomatic expression.