A Raft of Proposals Comes From a Different Word
A raft is a flat floating structure. The phrase a raft of things has another origin.
A raft is a flat floating structure of logs or planks. The phrase *a raft of proposals*, meaning a large number, is not from the boat: it comes from an American dialect word *raff*, meaning a jumble or heap, later confused with *raft* and absorbed by it. The same *raff* survives in *riff-raff*. The boat word is Old Norse *raptr*, a rafter — the same word as the beam in a roof, since both are simply logs laid side by side.
- A floating platform. *A wooden raft.*
- A large number. *A raft of measures.*
- A life raft. *A life raft.*
- Rafter — the same word. *A rafter.*
- Old Norse — *raptr*, a rafter. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | raft | A raft. |
| Plural | rafts | Rafts. |
| Verb | raft | Rafting. |
| Related | rafter | A rafter. |
| Related | riff-raff | Riff-raff. |
- They built a raft.Boat.
- A raft of new rules.Quantity.
- Rafter is the same word.Etymology.
Where riff-raff comes from
- Old French *rif et raf*, meaning one and all
- It described everything swept up together
- English took it as a term for worthless people
- Raff alone meant rubbish or a jumble
- That raff gave the phrase a raft of things
Old Norse *raptr*, a rafter or log. The quantity sense is from dialect *raff*, a heap.
Is a raft of proposals from the boat?
No. It comes from a dialect word raff, meaning a heap or jumble, later absorbed into raft.
Is a roof rafter the same word?
Yes. Both come from Old Norse raptr, a log or beam.