New Word #91: Rag, Rig, Rug

Image by Jerzy Górecki from Pixabay

Rag, rig and rug are all commonly used words. There’s no “rog”, but there is a word called “rogue”, which I call “instant word”. “Instant word” means a word that one can remember instantly, like love at first sight, and never forget. Rogue is such a word.

rag: a piece of old cloth; (informal) a newspaper, typically one regarded as being of low quality. The problem with the usage of this word is that as a non-native speaker, I don’t know if this word is a term of endearment of a term of contempt. It probably has both connotations, and for this reason I don’t dare to use it in case I use it incorrectly.

rig: This word is probably originally referring to an apparatus for a sailboat. However in real life, it means to conduct (something) fraudulently so as to produce a result or situation that is advantageous to a particular person. For example, a rigged game, a rigged market,

rug:a floor covering of thick woven material or animal skin, typically not extending over the entire floor.

rogue: a dishonest or unprincipled man. an elephant or other large wild animal driven away or living apart from the herd. “Go rogue” is a phrase one heard very often about somebody who’s out of control. This is not to be confused with the word rouge, which means a red powder or cream used as a cosmetic for coloring the cheeks or lips.

wriggle: twist and turn with quick writhing movements.

wrangle: a dispute or argument, typically one that is long and complicated.

Commonly Used Phrases

rag doll: a soft doll made from pieces of cloth.

in rags: (of clothes) tattered and torn.

ragtag: untidy, disorganized, or incongruously varied in character.

from rags to riches: from a state of having very little money to a state of having a lot of money She went from rags to riches overnight.

the game is rigged, or to rig the market: If someone rigs an election, a job appointment, or a game, they dishonestly arrange it to get the result they want or to give someone an unfair advantage.

big rig: a transport vehicle consisting of a semi-tractor and attached trailer.

rigmarole: a lengthy and complicated procedure or a long, rambling story or statement.

full rig: fancy or ceremonial clothes.

fishing rig: Fishing rigs are the combination of hooks, sinkers, snaps and swivels that you add to the end of your fishing line.

under the rug: to hide (something that is illegal, embarrassing, or wrong) He tried to sweep his past mistakes under the rug.

pull the rug out from under: abruptly withdraw support from (someone).”I couldn’t just pull the rug out from under her feet like that”

magic carpet: capable of flight, or instant movement of passengers from one place to another

rogue elephant: a wild elephant that separates from the herd and roams alone.

rogue nation: a nation or state regarded as breaking international law and posing a threat to the security of other nations.

rogue trader: a securities trader who engages in speculative trading without authorization.

wriggle one’s way out of something: to avoid or disentangle oneself from some situation, task, duty, or responsibility, especially through sly, devious, or cunning means.