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Meaning "common people," what is the origin of the term "hoi polloi"?

Question #150694. Asked by psnz.
Last updated Feb 23 2024.
Originally posted Feb 23 2024 9:04 PM.

BigTriviaDawg

Answer has 2 votes

BigTriviaDawg

7 year member
1007 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.

Hoi polloi originates from Greek. Originally, hoi polloi had a positive meaning but over time, it has come to the meaning of the plebian masses. Also, hoi means "the" so when talking about the people saying the hoi polloi is redundant.

The phrase probably became known to English scholars through Pericles' Funeral Oration, as mentioned in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. Pericles uses it in a positive way when praising the Athenian democracy, contrasting it with hoi oligoi, "the few"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoi_polloi

Response last updated by BigTriviaDawg on Feb 23 2024.
Feb 23 2024, 9:06 PM

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Meaning "common people," what is the origin of the term "hoi polloi"?

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