ragamuffin
UK[ˈræɡəˌmʌfɪn]US[ˈræɡəˌmʌfɪn]
n
A person, especially a child, in ragged, dirty clothes.
Etymology
The word 'ragamuffin' first appeared in Middle English as a derogatory name for a demon, 'Ragamoffyn', in the 14th-century poem Piers Plowman. By the late 16th century, it had evolved into a general term for a ragged, disreputable person. The first part, 'raga-', is securely linked to 'rag', referring to tattered clothing. The origin of the '-muffin' ending remains obscure; it may have been chosen for its rhyming quality or as a nonsensical augmentative, transforming the simple 'rag' into a vivid and memorable label for a street urchin. This evolution from a specific demonic name to a descriptive term for a dirty, poorly dressed child showcases the playful and often mysterious nature of word formation in English.
Analysis
This word is a compound of uncertain origin, formed within English. The first element is likely from 'rag' (a piece of old cloth), and the second element 'muffin' is of obscure origin, possibly a playful or nonsense suffix.
Examples
The old photograph showed a group of ragamuffins playing in the cobblestone street.
After playing in the mud all afternoon, the children looked like little ragamuffins.
The kind woman at the shelter offered food and clean clothes to the young ragamuffin.