ragtag

/ˌrægˈtæg/

Other forms: ragtags

A ragtag is a disorganized or motley group of people. When a parade marching band is described as a ragtag, it probably has mismatched outfits and an odd collection of instruments.

The noun ragtag comes from the old-fashioned phrase rag, tag, and bobtail — bobtail was once slang for "contemptible rascal," while tag was used to mean "torn cloth." Together, the phrase meant "riffraff" or "an unsavory bunch of folks." Today, you're more likely to see ragtag used as an adjective, as it is in the musical "Hamilton," in which the Continental Army is described as "a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower."

Definitions of ragtag

1. noun

   disparaging terms for the common people
   synonyms: rabble, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff

   types:

   scum, trash

   worthless people

   type of:

   common people, folk, folks

   people in general (often used in the plural)