Would you like to refer to a group of people that have totally unrelated backgrounds or interests, but that are still gathered together as a group? Would you like to reference inanimate things that can be called an assortment of different ones? The phrase 'motley crew' can be used to say what you mean. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'motley crew' can be used to refer to either a collection of inanimate objects or a group of people as a collective.
When the phrase 'motley crew' is used, then it means that the group is made up from an assortment of different things or people.
The phrase 'melting pot' or the common saying 'a mixed bag' would carry a similar meaning to calling something a motley crew.
The closest approximation that describes the meaning is: a random assortment of things or people that are brought together as a collective group.
The phrase 'motley crew' has also become a frequent pop culture reference, and the misspelling Motley Crue used as a band name is commonly confused with the correct spelling of the phrase 'motley crew'.
If something is a 'motley crew' the phrase is used as a phrase that simply means an assortment, there is no positive or negative implication given with the phrase.
The phrase can also be used in the plural form to say 'motley crews'.
Example Usage
“Let me tell you, there was a whole motley crew of people when I walked into church on that Sunday morning. Old ladies, bikers and priests were all sitting next to each other, just like they might be on the bus.”
“There was a real motley crew of people at my uncle's funeral. I thought that he must have been a popular guy.”
“If you don't include a motley crew of different coffees at the bar, I don't think any of the loyal customers are going to give a damn to show up.”
“There are a lot of things you can do, but going to the Halloween party as a motley crew of freaks isn't recommended if you live in a small town in the state of Texas.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'motley crew' is likely to have come from the Old English phrase 'motley' that first referred to a grain of sand. When something is described as a 'motley crew' then it is described to be as multiple or varied as sand might be.
It can be assumed that the phrase might have had its origin in the early 1600s to 1700s, and that it would have achieved popularity after this thanks to the use of the printing press and more widespread media.
Some online resources attribute the origin of the phrase to crew on ships, who would have been 'motley' or from different walks of life and careers.
The phrase remained popular throughout media in the 2000s, with mentions on the earliest online message boards and much later mentions on social media websites of the 2010s.
The phrase would become a popular pop culture reference after the band Motley Crue was founded in 1981. This would also cause people to confuse the saying and the band name, using the band's spelling that is not correct for the phrase.
Phrases Similar to Motley Crew
- Mixed bag
- Melting pot
Phrases Opposite to Motley Crew
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Motley Crew
Ways People May Say Motley Crew Incorrectly
There are several ways to use the phrase 'motley crew' in the wrong way, including to misunderstand the use or meaning of the phrase.
The phrase is used as 'Motley Crue' for the band name, though the expression is given as 'motley crew' when it is used.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Motley Crew
The correct way to use the phrase 'motley crew' is to use it when referring to a mixed group of people or things.
The phrase 'motley crews' is acceptable when the speaker refers to several individual groups of people or things together.