der Abschaum
Translation
scum, riffraff, dregs, rabble
Examples
Er nannte sie den Abschaum der Gesellschaft.
He called them the scum of society.
Die Polizei verhaftete den Abschaum der Stadt.
The police arrested the city's riffraff.
Grammar Patterns
the scum ((of sth.)) The criminals were the scum of the earth.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Gesindel, Pöbel, Pack; Antonyms: Elite
Etymology
From 'ab-' (off, away) and 'Schaum' (foam). Literally 'off-foam', referring to the scum skimmed off the top of a boiling liquid.
Memory Tips
Picture skimming dirty 'Schaum' (foam) 'ab' (off) a soup. This removed part is the unwanted dregs, the 'Abschaum'.