great unwashed, the
great unwashed, the - The working classes. The term showed up in print in the early nineteenth century in Theodore Hook’s The Parson’s Daughter (1833), where it appears in quotation marks. Exactly who first coined the phrase is not known, but in Britain it was used to describe the rabble of the French Revolution who rose up against the privileged classes. Although Eric Partridge said that its snobbishness had made it obsolescent by the 1940s, it is still used ironically.
Related and Similar Terms:
- The common folk: A more polite way to reference the working class.
- Hoi polloi: Borrowed from Greek, meaning “the many” or “the masses.”
- Peasantry: A term predominantly used in historical or rural contexts.
- Plebeians: The Roman equivalent of the working class.
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “The salt of the earth”: A compliment suggesting someone is honest, humble, and straightforward.
- “Rising from the ranks”: Moving up from a lower social class or starting position.
- “The unwashed masses”: A slightly more modern take with a touch of irony.
Synonyms:
- Proletariat
- Masses
- Rabble
- Commoners
Antonyms:
- Elite
- Aristocracy
- Upper crust
- Gentry
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “The great unwashed? I think you mean our nation’s aroma enthusiasts!” – Anonymous
- “Sometimes it seems the great unwashed have better Netflix recommendations!” – J. K. Hokum
Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Farewell:
Remember, no matter which class you might initially belong to, the true measure of a person is their character, not their title or attire. Inspired by Shakespeare: “The garment oft proclaims the man,” but inside we are all part of the same fabric of society.
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
-
Books:
- Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens – Delve into the world of the working class in Victorian England.
- Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – A powerful narrative about the French Revolution and the struggle of the masses.
-
Songs:
- “Common People” by Pulp – A British anthem celebrating and lamenting the life of the common folk.
-
Poetry:
- “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman – Celebrating the daily work and song of common people.
-
Movies:
- A Knight’s Tale – A fun turn on medieval past where a squire rises to knighthood against all odds.
- My Fair Lady – The transformation of a flower girl into a duchess, exploring class differences with a dash of romance.
### Which term is synonymous with 'the great unwashed'?
- [ ] Aristocracy
- [ ] Gentry
- [x] Plebeians
- [ ] Elite
> **Explanation:** 'Plebeians' refers to the common working class, much like 'the great unwashed.' The other terms refer to the higher echelons of society.
### What genre of music does the song "Common People" by Pulp belong to?
- [ ] Classical
- [x] Britpop
- [ ] Country
- [ ] Jazz
> **Explanation:** "Common People" is a Britpop song that became an anthem of the working class in the 1990s.
### True or False: "The great unwashed" is a term used to describe the working classes.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, the term "the great unwashed" is indeed used to refer to the working classes, often with an ironic or snobbish tone.
### Which of the following might you read for a deeper understanding of class struggles?
- [x] Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
- [ ] To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
- [ ] One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- [ ] The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
> **Explanation:** Victor Hugo's *Les Misérables* provides a piercing narrative of the French Revolution and the proletariat's battle against the aristocracy.
### What phrase means rising from a lower position or class?
- [ ] Upper crust
- [ ] The elite few
- [x] Rising from the ranks
- [ ] Aristocratic ascent
> **Explanation:** "Rising from the ranks" implies someone has moved up from a lower social or workplace hierarchy position.
