rag

rag · noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Germanic · derived from*rawwa-
2. Old Norse · derived fromrǫgg“tuft; shagginess”
3. Old English · inherited fromragg
4. Middle English · inherited fromragge
5. English todayrag

From Middle English ragge, from Old English ragg (suggested by derivative raggiġ (“shaggy; bristly; ragged”)), from Old Norse rǫgg (“tuft; shagginess”), from Proto-Germanic *rawwa-, probably related to *rūhaz. Cognate with Swedish ragg. Related to rug.

rag · noun, verb²

Unknown origin; perhaps the same word as Etymology 1, above.

rag · verb, noun³

Uncertain. Ideas about the scolding and tormenting senses being related to on the rag are only speculative.

rag · noun, verb⁴

Perhaps from ragged. Compare later ragtime.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 19th c. An informal dance party featuring music played by African-American string bands.
• from 19th c. A ragtime song, dance or piece of music.