Search
Select the dictionary language
Riffraff
01
a group of people who are considered low-class or undesirable
Informal
Offensive
What is the origin of the term "riffraff" and how is it used?
"Riffraff" is an English term that dates back to the early 14th century, originally from Anglo-French rif et raf, meaning "every scrap" or "odds and ends." It was first used to describe the sweepings or refuse of something, and then applied metaphorically to people considered the dregs of society. Over time, it came to mean a group of people seen as low-class, undesirable, or disreputable. The term is derogatory, used in informal speech, literature, and commentary to express social disdain, and it targets groups rather than individuals.
Examples
The police cleared out the riffraff from the area.
