Make Your Point > Archived Issues > HOI POLLOI

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explore the archives: Because "hoi polloi" is rarely said with kindness or tolerance, I hesitate to even feature it. So why did I? I believe it's better to know and understand unkind words--and choose not to use them yourself--rather than remaining slightly fuzzy on what those words mean. We've actually looked at an even harsher, more critical synonym of "hoi polloi:" ra____, meaning "a mob, a disorganized group, or low-class people in general." make your point with... "HOI POLLOI" Greek for "the many," the hoi polloi are all the regular, common, everyday people (as opposed to high-class people).  Pronunciation: HOY puh LOY Part of speech: Uncountable noun. (Like "milk," "rice," and "education," uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about "some milk," "the rice," and "a lot of education," but you don’t say "a milk," "three rices," or "many educations." Likewise, talk about "the hoi polloi," or simply "hoi polloi" without "the," but don’t say "hoi pollois.") Other forms: none How to use it: It's crazy, but we usually say "the hoi polloi" even though "hoi" is Greek for "the." If this bothers you (because you dislike similar redundancies, like "ATM machine," "PIN number," or "the El Dorado") then you can leave out "the:" rubbing shoulders with (the) hoi polloi, responding to the needs of (the) hoi polloi, expecting (the) hoi polloi to make a fuss, America's hoi polloi, Facebook's hoi polloi, (the) hoi polloi of that community, etc. Please use this term with discretion to avoid sounding insulting or snobby: the hoi polloi are often assumed to be uneducated, unwashed, lazy, crude, and easily duped. But you can also use this term with humor or gentleness. examples: "The Hook Brings You Back," Blues Traveler's 1995 hit whose lyrics openly mock our mindless love of any tune with certain chord progressions, nevertheless was immensely popular among the hoi polloi. Rumor has it that residents blocked the Metro line from running through their upscale neighborhood in an attempt to keep out the hoi polloi. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "hoi polloi" means when you can explain it without saying "the common people" or "the masses." try it out: Think of an advertisement you've seen or heard that seemed to target uneducated or foolish people. Fill in the blanks: "This ad attempts to convince the hoi polloi that buying (something) (equates with / will result in) (some unrealistic outcome)."  Example: "This ad attempts to convince the hoi polloi that buying the right brand of air fresheners equates with true happiness." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Language Techniques: When language sounds beautiful or memorable, often there’s some particular technique responsible for that effect. Each day this month, I’ll give you a specific stylistic technique or quality, and I’d like you to recreate (as closely as you can) the quote that I’ve botched by removing it. We’ll work our way from the easiest to the hardest techniques. Enjoy! From yesterday: Accumulation is a gathering of lots of words or phrases into a big impressive heap. Here's an example from E.B. White: "...under the floor boards the same freshwater leavings and debris--the dead helgramite, the wisps of moss, the rusty discarded fishhook, the dried blood from yesterday's catch." A book for kids by Judith Viorst isn't titled Alexander and the Bad Day. Restore the title's accumulation, and you get...? Answer: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Try this one today: Nearly the opposite of accumulation, concision is the use of the fewest words possible. James Clear didn't say, "If you're consistent, then you'll master whatever you're working on." He said, "Mastery follows consistency." Alexander Pope didn't write, "Everybody makes mistakes; it's just part of being human. But forgiving other people's mistakes is what God does, so it's divine." What's the correct, concise version of this idea? review today's word: 1. The opposite of HOI POLLOI is A. DAILY BREAD B. RANK AND FILE C. UPPER CRUST 2. Prevalent in discussions of the 2008 election was "Joe the plumber," _____ the hoi polloi. A. a representation of B. a problem for C. an enemy of Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. A