Modern Usage
In British, Canadian, Irish, Australian, New Zealand and South African English the back-formation pleb, along with the more recently derived adjectival form plebby, is used as a derogatory term for someone considered unsophisticated or uncultured. In September 2012, UK Conservative Party Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell was reported using the word in a tirade directed at police officers in Downing Street. He disputed the accusation, but intense media pressure forced him to offer his resignation on 20 October 2012.
Read more about this topic: Plebs
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