Hoi Polloi – The common people; ordinary people

(Pronounced hoi puh-loi)

To remember the definition of the word hoi polloi, use the following mnemonic:

They hoisted the person who purloined (hoi polloi) up into the air so all the ordinary people could throw rotten eggs at her.

Examples of hoi polloi in a sentence

I don't want to go outside to mix with the hoi polloi.

The hoi polloi were not allowed to enter into the palace without good reason.

They allow the ultra-wealthy, but not the hoi polloi inside their homes.