Hoi polloi

Lord Byron's view of the Hoi polloi

Hoi polloi (Greek: οι πολλοι), an expression meaning "the many" in Ancient Greek, is used in English to denote "the masses" or "the people", usually in a derogatory sense. For example, "I've secured a private box for the play so we don't have to watch the show with the hoi polloi." The phrase originated in English in the early 1800s, a time when it was considered necessary to know Greek and Latin in order to appear well educated. The phrase was originally written in Greek letters.^[1][2][3]

Question on usage - hoi polloi v the hoi polloi

Since "hoi" means "the", it might be said that the common usage of the hoi polloi is incorrect. However, this later usage is very well-established and it is often the case that phrases borrowed from other languages become treated as single words in English.^[4] The Chicago Manual of style considers the usage "the hoi polloi" to be the standard usage.^[5] (Merriam) Webster's Dictionary of English Usage says:

It is interesting to note that when hoi polloi was used by writers who had actually been educated in Greek, it was invariably preceded by the. Perhaps writers such as Dryden and Byron understood that English and Greek are two different languages, and that, whatever its literal meaning in Greek, hoi does not mean "the" in English. There is, in fact, no such independent word as hoi in English — there is only the term hoi polloi, which functions not as two words but as one, the sense of which is basically "commoners" or "rabble." In idiomatic English, it is no more redundant to say "the hoi polloi" than it is to say "the rabble," and most writers who use the term continue to precede it with *the* ...^[6]

Since the 1950's the phrase has often been misused to refer to the upper class, which is the opposite of its actual meaning.^[7][8]

First usages in literature

James Fenimore Cooper, author of The Last of the Mohicans, is often credited with making the first recorded usage of the term in English,^[9][10] but actually Lord Byron previously used the term in his letters and journal:

• "I have not answered W. Scott's last letter,—but I will. I regret to hear from others, that he has lately been unfortunate in pecuniary involvements. He is undoubtedly the Monarch of Parnassus, and the most English of bards. I should place Rogers next in the living list (I value him more as the last of the best school)—Moore and Campbell both third—Southey and Wordsworth and Coleridge—the rest, [hoi polloi in Greek]—thus:—(see image on this page)^[11]
• "... one or two others, with myself, put on masks, and went on the stage with the 'ol polloi" —Lord Byron^[12]
• "After which the oi polloi are enrolled as they can find interest" - James Fenimore Cooper^[13]

Appearance in film

The term "Hoi Polloi" was used in a dramatic scene in the movie Dead Poets Society. In this scene, Professor Keating speaks negatively about the use of the article "the" in front of the phrase:

Keating: This is battle, boys. War! You are souls at a critical juncture. Either you will succumb to the will of hoi polloi and the fruit will die on the vine—or you will triumph as individuals. It may be a coincidence that part of my duties are to teach you about Romanticism, but let me assure you that I take the task quite seriously. You will learn what this school wants you to learn in my class, but if I do my job properly, you will also learn a great deal more. You will learn to savor language and words because they are the stepping stones to everything you might endeavor to do in life and do well. A moment ago I used the term 'hoi polloi.' Who knows what it means? Come on, Overstreet, you twirp. (laughter) Anderson, are you a man or a boil?

Anderson shakes his head "no", but Meeks raises his hands and speaks: "The hoi polloi. Doesn't it mean the herd?"

Keating: Precisely, Meeks. Greek for the herd. However, be warned that, when you say "the hoi polloi" you are actually saying the the herd. Indicating that you too are "hoi polloi".^[14]

Other uses

• Hoi Polloi is also also the name of many businesses, including a dance group based in Boston, Massachusetts,^[15] a woman's boutique in New Orleans, Louisiana,^[16] and a film crew in the United Kingdom.^[17]

Notes

1. ^ Parket, Allison re:double words? (hoi polloi) Usenet post.
2. ^ Editors of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition "Blue plate special"; how to use "hoi polloi; "Peck's Bad Boy October 28 2003, Jewish World Review.
3. ^ Hooper, Jeffery D. Lord Byron's Letters and Journals
4. ^ American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
5. ^ The Literature Network.
6. ^ Chicago Manual of Style, University of Chicago.
7. ^ (Merriam) Webster's Dictionary of English Usage (1989).
8. ^ Random House Word of the Day.
9. ^ A Word A Day.
10. ^ American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
11. ^ Lord Byron Lord Byron's Letters and Journals November 24 1813.
12. ^ Lord Byron Detached Thoughts, 1821.
13. ^ Cooper, James Fenimore Gleanings from Europe, 1837.
14. ^ Schulman, Tom Excerpts from the script of Dead Poets Society.
15. ^ Hoi Polloi dance group.
16. ^ Hoi Polloi boutique.
17. ^ Hoi Polloi film crew.