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great unwashed

A contemptuous term for the populace, particularly the working class.

Etymology:

  • Attributed by many to Edmund Burke, the first published use of the phrase was by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in a dedicatory epistle for 1830, Paul Clifford.
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Submitted on September 01, 2009

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to great unwashed

go to great lengthsgreat dealgo great gunsgreat jobgreat minds think alikenow that's a great questiongreat daneno great shakesgreat mindsgo great gunsgreat oaks from little acorns growgreat beyonda great dealunwashed masses

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