- rag (n.)
- early 14c., probably from Old Norse rogg "shaggy tuft," earlier raggw-, or possibly from Old Danish rag (see rug), or a back-formation from ragged (c.1300), which is from Old Norse raggaðr "shaggy," via Old English raggig "rag-like." It also may represent an unrecorded Old English cognate of Old Norse rogg. As an insulting term for "newspaper, magazine" it dates from 1734; slang for "tampon, sanitary napkin" is attested from 1930s. Rags "personal clothing" is from 1855, American English. Rags-to-riches "rise from poverty to wealth" is attested by 1896.
- rag (v.)
- "scold," 1739, of unknown origin; perhaps related to Danish dialectal rag "grudge." Related: Ragged; ragging.