hoi

The English term originates from the Ancient Greek phrase οἱ πολλοί (hoi polloi), which literally translates to "the many." In classical Greek, this was a neutral descriptive term for the majority or the general populace. Adopted into English in the 17th century, the phrase was initially used by scholars familiar with Greek. Over time, its usage shifted to carry a distinctly pejorative and elitist connotation, implying the common masses are uncultured or vulgar. The standalone use of "hoi" is a modern back-formation from this phrase and is considered nonstandard, as "hoi" itself is simply the Greek definite article.

The word "hoi" is a direct borrowing from the Greek adjective οἱ (hoi), meaning "the" (masculine plural nominative form). In English, it functions exclusively as the first element of the fixed phrase "hoi polloi."