The great - unwashed
Definitions
disdain for the lower social classes
To refer to the common people in a derogatory manner, often implying lack of cleanliness or sophisticationgeneral population
To refer to the masses or the ordinary people as a whole, often in a neutral or humorous way
Examples of The great - unwashed
Despite being a successful entrepreneur, Sarah refuses to mingle with the great unwashed and prefers to socialize only with the elite.
This idiom refers to the common people who are not wealthy or sophisticated. In this example, "the great unwashed" represents the masses or the non-elite, indicating that Sarah does not associate herself with them. The phrase "prefer to socialize only with the elite" adds more detail to the statement, emphasizing Sarah's preference for the upper class over the ordinary people.
Jack always avoids looks and stares from the great unwashed while walking down the street.
This idiom is used to describe people who are ignored, disliked, or not noticed by others. In this example, "the great unwashed" refers to the general public or the common people. The phrase "avoids looks and stares from the great unwashed" implies that the person being referred to does not want to be seen or recognized by ordinary people.
The politician's advisers warned him against making any promises to the great unwashed as most of them do not understand politics.
This idiom is used to describe people who are not knowledgeable or informed about a certain topic. In this instance, "the great unwashed" refers to individuals who are not politically aware or sophisticated. The phrase "most of them do not understand politics" highlights the fact that the majority of the population may not have a clear understanding of politics, and, hence, any promises made to them may be difficult to fulfill.
When John looked in the mirror for the first time after waking up, he realized that he had become part of the great unwashed.
This idiom is used to describe people who do not conform to social or cultural norms. In this example, "the great unwashed" refers to individuals who do not adhere to the accepted standards of hygiene or cleanliness. The phrase "had become part of the great unwashed" implies that John's appearance had become unkempt or disheveled, indicating that he was no longer adhering to the societal standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
The politician promised to connect rural areas with better infrastructure, but he often gets criticized for neglecting the needs of the great unwashed.
This idiom refers to the rural and less affluent population who may not have access to basic amenities such as clean water, proper sewerage systems, or roads. By calling them the great unwashed, it implies that they may not be as clean or well-groomed as the more urban or wealthy population. In this example, it suggests that the politician has been neglecting the needs of rural areas and their less privileged populations, who are often referred to as the great unwashed.
The musician was accused of belonging to the great unwashed because she dared to sing in a local coffee shop instead of performing at a famous music venue.
This usage of the idiom is different from the previous example. Here, the great unwashed refers to people who are not well-known or famous, and often perform outside of mainstream venues. It suggests that the musician was being demeaned for choosing to play at a lesser-known location instead of trying to make it big at a well-established venue.
The chef prepared a meal for the great unwashed, using only the leftovers and vegetables that were almost past their sell-by date.
This usage is a bit more humorous and shows a playful twist on the idiom. Here, the great unwashed refers to a group of less fortunate people who might not have access to expensive or high-quality food. The chef, in this example, is using leftovers to prepare a meal for this group, implying that they may be less choosy about the quality of the meal.
The gardening club wanted to plant some flowers in the local park, but they were criticized for neglecting the needs of the great unwashed by not planting more functional flowers such as sunflowers.
This example shows a different usage of the idiom, where the great unwashed refers to the less aesthetically-conscious community who might not appreciate the beauty and function of lesser-known flowers, instead preferring more practical flowers that can be used for functional purposes such as cooking, medicine, or lighting. In this example, it suggests that the gardening club might be neglecting the needs of this population by prioritizing aesthetics over functionality.
Conclusion
The idiom "the great unwashed" can be used to express disdain for the lower social classes or to refer to the general population in a neutral or humorous manner.Origin of "The great - unwashed"
The origin of the idiom "the great unwashed" can be traced back to the 19th century in Britain. At that time, the lower social classes often had limited access to proper hygiene and sanitation, leading to a perception of them as being dirty or unwashed. The phrase was originally used by the upper classes to express their disdain for the working class and to highlight the perceived lack of cleanliness and refinement among them.
Over time, the idiom evolved to also be used in a more neutral or humorous context to refer to the ordinary people as a whole, without necessarily carrying the same derogatory connotations. This shift in usage reflects changes in social attitudes and the evolving meaning of the phrase in modern times. Today, "the great unwashed" can be used to humorously or neutrally refer to the general population, often with a nod to its historical origins.