A toe rag was originally a foot wrapping used, since mediaeval times up until the mid-nineteenth century, to protect the foot from chafing by boots or shoes. As these were, quite literally, rags they weren’t usually washed, and so with use they became very smelly until they were thrown away. Because of the similarity in smell, toe rag also became the name applied to dried, salted cod or other things with a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell. It didn’t take that long before the name was applied to someone who was an obnoxious, unpleasant OIC.
1 “Socks! Those aren’t socks you smelly git, they’re toe rags!”
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.
by AKACroatalin November 29, 2016
Although usually used as a description of an unpleasant, obnoxious twit or the foot wrappings used in place of socks, it is also used to described dried, salted cod because of its strong unpleasant smell. By extension it was also used to describe other things with a strong unpleasant fishy smell.
Dave, I heard you dumped Millie, I thought you were going to give her one.
Nah! I got her clouts off and her min smelled like a load of old toe rag so I left it.
Nah! I got her clouts off and her min smelled like a load of old toe rag so I left it.
by Croatalin October 27, 2013
In Australia toe rag is the ultimate insult. It was adopted from the English word toe rag. In Australia a rag is slang for a female hygine item or pad aka 'dirty'.
The toe is 3 foot from the feminine genitalia. Therfore to be called a toe rag is the ultimate insult as you are 3 foot lower than a dirty cunt.
The toe is 3 foot from the feminine genitalia. Therfore to be called a toe rag is the ultimate insult as you are 3 foot lower than a dirty cunt.
by mad4mac October 1, 2017
by cab101 July 14, 2011
The definition derives from old England where convicts used to tie bits of shirt around their toes and feet as a make shift sock, hence "toe rag" means scoundrel, criminal, thief, indencent/unlawful person etc. It is sometiem seen spelt Tow Rag because the original context has long since been obsolete.
by Carly Bourne September 18, 2006
A useless person, often characterized by unpleasant demeanour. Derivation: the subject is about as high up the social ladder as a rag used for cleaning toe jam out from between your toes.
by N3dst4 January 16, 2003