oily rag

English

Etymology

Named for such employees often carrying a rag with them to wipe up spillages of oil or grease.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

oily rag (plural oily rags)

1. (derogatory slang) An employee in a menial, unskilled role in a factory or workshop.
2. (Cockney rhyming slang) A cigarette; fag.

Derived terms

• smell of an oily rag