What three-syllable phrase was
shortened to coin the word riff-raff?
Etymology, Etymology, and more Etymology
as well as grammar, usage, euphemism, slang, jargon, semantics (meaning), linguistics, neologism, idiom, word origin, syntax, dialect, lexicon (vocabulary), diction, pidgin, synonym, antonym, homonym, cant, argot, lingo, and redundancy.

The critically-acclaimed board game
MooT
consists of tough questions about the nuances of the English language.
Answer:
riff and raff
Disreputable or undesirable persons are
riff-raff; the word derives from the French ne rifle,
ne rafle, nothing at all.
Please note that these are draft questions for the board game MooT.
If you spot an error or disagree with anything I've said here,
please let me know and I'll fix it.
(the Mootguy)
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