raffish

Episode Overview

Podcast: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Episode Title: Raffish
Date: July 20, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski

In this episode, Merriam-Webster’s Peter Sokolowski explores the word “raffish”—its meaning, history, and linguistic connections. Listeners will get an etymological deep dive, a memorable usage example, and a clear distinction between related terms.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Definition and Usage of “Raffish”

• Raffish (adjective): Describes people or things marked by a careless but usually attractive unconventionality.
  • Spelling: R-A-F-F-I-S-H
  • Key quality: Conveys a sense of charm in disregard for conventional norms.

2. Illustrative Example

• Sentence from Harper’s Magazine (approx. [00:48]):

  “The newspaper man was appealingly raffish, at once a bum who drank too much and a knight errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant.”

  This example encapsulates the idea of someone whose unconventional, even slightly roguish qualities, are in fact appealing.

3. Etymology and Origins

• Breakdown:
  • Constructed from: The English noun “raff” + suffix “-ish” (meaning ‘characteristic of’).
  • Literal meaning: Resembling “raff.”
  • Clarification:
    • Raff: Stems from Middle English, meaning “rubbish.”
    • Riffraff: Comes from Anglo-French “rif et raff,” meaning “altogether”—distinct origin from “raff,” despite the similarity.
  • Development:
    • Over time, similarities led to “raff” being used synonymously with “riffraff,” both referring to the lower, ragtag part of society.
    • The adjective “raffish” arose in the late 1700s from this usage.

4. Distinction Between “Raff” and “Riffraff”

• Despite their resemblance, “raff” and “riffraff” have distinct roots:
  • “Raff”: Middle English, direct.
  • “Riffraff”: Anglo-French, compound origin.
• The blending of these senses contributed to the eventual “rabble” connotation of “raffish.”

5. Modern Connotation

• “Raffish” now evokes a mix of disreputability and roguish charm—often used to hint at someone whose flouting of social norms is oddly likable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter Sokolowski ([01:00]):

  “Raffish combines the English noun 'raff' with the suffix 'ish,' which in this case means 'characteristic of.' When we use the word ‘raffish,’ we literally means resembling raff. But what exactly is raff?”

• Peter Sokolowski ([01:20]):

  “You might be more familiar with 'raff's synonymous riffraff, which refers to disreputable people of low social status. Despite the resemblance, these two nouns are distinct in origin.”

• Peter Sokolowski ([01:51]):

  “It was that ragtag raff that gave rise to the adjective ‘raffish’ in the late 1700s.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:33] – Introduction of the word “raffish,” its spelling, part of speech, and definition.
• [00:48] – Example sentence illustrating the word’s use in context.
• [01:00] – Explanation of the word’s construction and initial etymology.
• [01:20] – Clarification of differences and similarities between “raff” and “riffraff.”
• [01:51] – Summary of how “raffish” arose from “raff” and popular usage.

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers a concise yet thorough exploration of “raffish,” pairing linguistic analysis with an evocative real-world example. Peter Sokolowski’s engaging style and etymological clarity make the word both memorable and usable for listeners interested in precise language.