English

Noun

great unwashed pl ‎(plural only)

1. (idiomatic, derogatory) The general populace, particularly the working class.
   • 1995, Christina Blizzard, Right Turn: How the Tories Took Ontario

     The Liberal campaign was so carefully orchestrated that McLeod was never in a position to be confronted by the great unwashed. Unfortunately, the great unwashed rarely vote for a leader whom they have never met.

Synonyms

• (the populace): hoi polloi, unwashed masses

Translations

References

1. ↑ 1835, The Complete Works of E. L. Bulwer, Volume 7: Paul Clifford, page 14