I've heard an annoying person referred to as a ragtail and I've found a reference to the word below; however, I'm uncertain of the etymology. I'm curious to know why a ragtail is an annoying person. Any ideas?
2 Answers
It appears that 'ragtail' is a term formed from the fusion of the two words of the expression: ragtag and bobtail,
adjective. ['ragteɪl] Chiefly US. L20.
from RAG noun1 + TAIL noun1, perh. infl. by ragtag and bobtail.
It's mainly an adjective with the meaning,
ragtail: disorganized; untidy; disreputable.
It is from the French saying 'trois tondus et un pelé' translated to 'ragtail and bobtail'
tondu m. shaveling, monk; trois tondus et un pelé, ragtail and bobtail -International French-English and English-French
Pelé is a skin.
A shaveling is a tonsured clergyman : priest usually used disparagingly 2. stripling or (not still a boy but not a man)
Both terms are related to an annoyance