The "hoi" in "hoi polloi" means "the". (And try saying that one three times fast!) So if you're going to say it, you really ought to say it right (by which I mean, of course, the way *I* would say it if I ever used the phrase).
I know, I know. "Not saying 'the hoi polloi' will sound silly and pretentious!". I know! But here's an interesting fact you might not yet know - the entire phrase "hoi polloi" already sounds silly and pretentious, so either you skip it altogether, or you go whole-hog into your new persona as a silly, pretentious person. It's a win-win situation, really.
I know, I know. "Not saying 'the hoi polloi' will sound silly and pretentious!". I know! But here's an interesting fact you might not yet know - the entire phrase "hoi polloi" already sounds silly and pretentious, so either you skip it altogether, or you go whole-hog into your new persona as a silly, pretentious person. It's a win-win situation, really.
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Date: 2007-12-31 08:25 pm (UTC)Now I'll be singing that all day, thanks.
(Edit: That's not sarcastic. But when my sister logs on to comment "Yeah, thanks from me too!", that probably will be.)