ragtag
pronunciation
How to pronounce ragtag in British English:
UK [ˈrægtæg]
How to pronounce ragtag in American English:
US [ˈræɡˌtæɡ]
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- Noun:
- disparaging terms for the common people
Word Origin
- ragtag (n.)
- also rag-tag, "ragged people collectively," 1820, from rag (n.) + tag (n.); originally in expression rag-tag and bobtail "the rabble" (tag-rag and bobtail is found in 1650s), with bobtail an old 17c. word for "cur." Tag and rag was "very common in 16-17th c." [OED]
Example
- 1. It 's a ragtag group of crooks unified under the portrait of putin .
- 2. Washington 's ragtag troops are about to face he best-equipped and most powerful fighting force in the world .
- 3. Those statements raised expectations of western backing among rebel leaders and their ragtag fighters , but none has been forthcoming .
- 4. That reflects squabbling over local resources , lack of communications in a country with few roads and indiscipline in ragtag bits of the army .
- 5. A visit to the embattled city of ajdabiya finds the anti-qaddafi resistance slightly less ragtag than before , but still not quite professional .