raffish

Meaning

  1. Characterized by careless unconventionality; rakish.
  2. Low-class; disreputable; vulgar.

Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈɹæfɪʃ/
Etymology

In summary

From late 18th century raff (“persons among the lowest class in society”) + -ish, still retained in contemporary English with riffraff. From Old French raffer (“to wear away”), of Germanic origin. Compare German raffen. Compare rip (“to tear”), rap (“to snatch”).

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