Where does the word “rake” originate and What does rake mean?

Photo of author

Karen Hill

The dissolute man whom we now speak of as a rake was said to be a rakehell four hundred years ago, and we still sometimes use the older word.

The original term was cynical and figurative.

It came from the thought that one would have to rake hell to find a person so vile as the dissolute scoundrel whose character was under consideration.

Related Posts

  1. What does the expression “to rake over the coals” mean and Where does it come from?
  2. What does the word mugwump mean and Where does the word “mugwump” originate?
  3. What Does the Word “Restaurant” Mean In French and How Did the Word For Dining Room Originate?
  4. What Does the Word “Gymnasium” Mean in Greek and How Did the Word “Stadium” Originate?
  5. How Did the Word “Tip” Originate and What Does the Word For a Gratuity Mean In German?
  6. How did the word “idiot” originate and What does the word idiot mean?