The great unwashed

Definitions

• derogatory term
  Referring to the general public, especially in a condescending or dismissive way

• unclean or unkempt
  Referring to a group of people who are perceived as dirty or unkempt, often in a judgmental manner

Examples of The great unwashed

• Although John comes from a wealthy family, he's never really cared about his appearance. He often wears the same clothes for multiple days in a row, and he rarely takes baths or showers. Some might say that John is part of "the great unwashed."

  The term "the great unwashed" is used to describe a group of people who are not clean or well-groomed. It comes from the literal meaning of the phrase, which refers to people who have not been washed or cleansed. Although the phrase has fallen out of favor in modern English, it is still sometimes used colloquially to describe people who are perceived as being dirty or unhygienic. This idiom is often used in a derogatory or judgmental context, implying that people who are not clean are somehow inferior or less civilized than those who are. In John's case, being part of "the great unwashed" might imply that he is not a very cultured or sophisticated person, since grooming and hygiene are often seen as indicators of social status or refinement. However, this interpretation might be unfair, as there are many clean and well-groomed people who are also unrefined or rude. Overall, the phrase "the great unwashed" has negative connotations and should be used with caution, as it can be easily mistaken for a pejorative remark. If you want to convey that someone is not very clean or hygienic, it's better to simply say that they need to bathe more often, rather than resorting to archaic and potentially insulting expressions like "the great unwashed." By doing so, you'll avoid causing offense and make your point more clearly.

• The protesters outside the courthouse were a mix of clean, well-dressed advocates and the great unwashed.

  In this example, "the great unwashed" is used to describe a group of people who are perceived as being dirty or unclean relative to another group. In this context, the term is used to differentiate the protesters outside the courthouse from the clean, well-dressed advocates inside. While the advocates are presumably showered, shaved, and dressed in expensive suits, the great unwashed might be wearing torn clothes, carrying signs, and possibly smelling unpleasant. The contrast between the clean advocates and the dirty protesters might imply that the former are more serious, professional, or sophisticated than the latter, who are seen as being more radical or unpredictable. In reality, of course, it's possible that some of the clean advocates are just as radical or unpredictable as some of the dirty protesters, but the idiom speaks to a deeper cultural prejudice, implying that people who are not clean or well-groomed are somehow less rational, less trustworthy, or less civilized than those who are. By using this idiom, the speaker is reinforcing a particular set of cultural values, implying that hygiene and grooming are somehow linked to intelligence or morality. This interpretation might be unfair, since there are many clean and well-groomed people who are also untrustworthy, irrational, or immoral, and there are many dirty and unkempt people who are also intelligent, rational, or moral. However, this interpretation is prevalent in many cultures, implying that the ideal human being is clean, well-groomed, and cultured, while the unwashed and unkempt are somehow inferior or less civilized.

• The poet often uses vivid imagery to describe the people and places he's seen, bringing them to life with remarkable clarity and detail. To many readers, his descriptions are almost too real, sometimes bordering on the grotesque. However, the poet argues that these descriptions are necessary to convey the full weight of his experiences, and that without them, his work would be incomplete or inauthentic. In a sense, the poet's descriptions are like windows into a world that is both familiar and terrifying, allowing us to glimpse the great unwashed in all their glory.

  In this example, "the great unwashed" is used metaphorically to describe the reality behind the poet's descriptions. The metaphor suggests that the world that the poet is describing is often dirty, unclean, or unkempt, and that by describing it in such detail, he is bringing us closer to the truth. The contrast between the poet's descriptions and other, more sanitized forms of literature might imply that the former are somehow more authentic, more truthful, or more realistic than the latter, which might be seen as overly polished, overly clean, or overly idealized. In this sense, "the great unwashed" might evoke a sense of grittiness, raw reality, or visceral truth, reminding us that beauty is often found in the most unexpected places, and that the world is not always pretty or pleasant. By using this metaphor, the speaker is evoking a sense of urgency, implying that the poet's work is not just a collection of pretty words, but a call to arms, a challenge to our preconceptions, and a reminder that the truth is often both beautiful and ugly, both familiar and terrifying, both clean and unwashed.

• Despite being a successful businessman, John still associates with The great unwashed because he refuses to cut ties with his old friends from the working-class neighborhood where he grew up.

  "The great unwashed" is a derogatory term for common or working-class people, implying that they are unclean or unrefined. In John's case, it suggests that he maintains connections with people who may not have the same level of social status or polish as his more elite professional circle.

• The company has been criticized for hiring The great unwashed for key positions, instead of more experienced executives from established firms.

  "The great unwashed" here refers to people who are new to a particular industry or profession, and may not have the same level of education, credentials, or connections as more established figures. The term implies that the company's hiring decisions are seen as lowering the quality or prestige of its organization.

• Sarah's fashion sense often attracts criticism, as she seems to favor styles that are associated with The great unwashed, such as oversized t-shirts and ripped jeans.

  "The great unwashed" in this context refers to people who dress in a casual, laid-back, or unconventional way, as opposed to those who follow more traditional or fashionable trends. The term can imply that Sarah's style choices are seen as unfashionable, unrefined, or untidy.

• The author argues that the media often portrays people who live in poverty as The great unwashed, ignoring the complex social, economic, and political factors that contribute to poverty and inequality.

  "The great unwashed" in this example is used metaphorically to describe people who are perceived as dirty, uneducated, or uncivilized, due to their poverty or lack of resources. The term highlights the stigma and prejudice that can be associated with poverty, and suggests that the media's portrayal of poverty as a personal failing or moral defect is oversimplified and misguided.

Conclusion

The idiom "the great unwashed" can be used to either refer to the general public in a derogatory manner or to describe a group of people as unclean or unkempt. It is often used to convey a sense of disdain or superiority towards the group being referred to.

Origin of "The great unwashed"

The origin of the idiom "the great unwashed" can be traced back to the 19th century in Britain. It was originally used by the upper class to refer to the lower class, particularly the working class who were perceived as dirty and unhygienic. The term "unwashed" was used to imply that the lower class did not bathe regularly or maintain proper hygiene.

Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass a broader meaning, referring not only to the lower class but to the general public in a dismissive or condescending manner. It is now used to express a sense of disdain or contempt towards a group of people, often in a humorous or ironic way. The origins of the idiom highlight the classist attitudes and prejudices that were prevalent in society during the 19th century.