shakerag

shakerag

See also: Shakerag

English

Etymology

shake +‎ rag

Noun

shakerag (plural shakerags)

1. A pauper; a bum.
   • 1574, Jean Calvin, Sermons on Job, page 510:

     […] that it is our Lords intent to trie our pacience the better, when he casteth vs after that maner into contempt, no only of those that are in authoritie & estimation, but also those that are the veriest shakerags , so as we wold in our minde thinke our selues to be assaulted rather of brute beastes than of men.

   • 1599, Micro-cynicon: sixe snarling satyres:

     Well take it as they list, shakerag came in, Making no doubt but they would like of him : And twere but for his person a pretty lad Well quallified, hauing a singing trade.

   • 2014, Laura London, A Heart Too Proud:

     When one of the twins said that I looked like a shakerag after a full day's dusting, I was able to laugh with her, knowing full well that I would get no scolding from Mrs. Goodbody for my grubby appearance.

Usage notes

One of the most famous uses of this term is a pun by William Kempe who, in his Kemps Nine Daies Wonder (1600) alludes to Shakespeare as "Shakerags".