Hoi polloi

This is the English form (the writing in the Roman alphabet) of two Greek words, οἱ πολλοί, pronounced 'hoy poll-oy', IPA: /,hɔɪ pə'lɔɪ/. They mean 'the many'. The words have come to be used in English to express a rather snobbish view of the majority, who are thought of as not being well educated enough to understand [classical] Greek.

Many of those who use οἱ πολλοί, unfortunately, do not fully understand that οἱ means 'the', and write 'the hoi polloi'. By so doing, they are actually saying 'the the many', thus using an unnecessary word and exposing themselves to the intellectual snobbery of those who are better educated in the classical languages than themselves.

Few people in modern Britain understand ancient Greek. So the construction 'the hoi polloi' will continue. If you want Brownie points from a pedantic teacher, do not help it to continue! On the other hand, if you are feeling determinedly anti-pedantic, use 'the hoi polloi', and quote the OED which says 'In English use normally preceded by the definite article even though 'hoi' means 'the'.'