why is a paper called the 'local rag'?

Answer 1

It isn't known where the name Rag originates, but it is thought to be from the Victorian era when students took time out of their studies to collect rags to clothe the poor. In modern times "Rag" has come to stand for "Raise and Give" or "Raising and Giving", although it seems likely that this is a backronym. One story has it that the backronym was coined to convince a manager in a large charity of the value of working with student fundraisers. Out of interest, the first Rag in South Africa was started at the University of Stellenbosch by the male residence Helderberg.

So the fact most of these "local rags" are local free papers fits in nicely with that.

Hope this helps,
Graham

Answer 2

Local Rag

Answer 3

Paper was made from old rags in former times. The term rag is applied pejoratively to a newspaper which does not have much content or worth and which is as throw-away in quality as the rags originally used to make the paper itself.

Answer 4

the term "local rag" comes from oxford and Cambridge university's which was meant to mean a joke or jokes printed in the university publication for rag week. a charitable event raising money for the needy. it later spread to more university towns hence the term became used for any local news sheet deemed to be less then sophisticated.like "the times" or "the guardian". "local rag".thus became the term used for the local newspaper. i would also add that the term "comic" is now being widely used for "the sun" and "the mirror" morning newspapers.

Answer 5

Because it's a local newspaper and paper is, or used to be, made from rags

Answer 6

Confirming previous answers old paper mills literally used rags, as in old clothing, to make paper. Crops such as wheat and reeds, often found near river banks which also provided the huge amounts of water needed to make paper, or to power the water wheel were also used. True ecological recycling as it should be, but in the 17th Century!

Answer 7

Coz its local it isnt very useful, and isnt kept long so they use them as rags once they are done with them as they are usually cheaper than buying new rags or cloths. Also newspaper is very good for cleaning glass/windows etc... You wet it a little and then wipe the window or glass with it and it cleans it better than a cloth - without leaving any marks.

Answer 8

Paper used to made, at least in part, from old rags - old cloth. Actually, you can still buy paper made with "rag content".

Answer 9

Rag is a word often used to mean 'newspaper' - its been around since the mid 19th C, as far as I know. Local rag refers to your local town or county newspaper.

Answer 10

When you go on and on about something, or you moun or something like that, some people reffered to it as "Ragging". Since the local paper usually contains local events and letters from readers etc, it is refered to as the Local Rag, (in other words, the local rant and rave paper) :-)