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Because it has such a ragged movement. It suggests something like that.
Source: On why he called it ragtime; in American Muscian and Art Journal, 13 Dec 1907.
-- Scott Joplin, (Nov 24 1868-1971), US pianist, composer; His Maple Leaf Rag, 1894, ushered in the era of ragtime; was awarded a special Bi-centennial Pulitzer Prize for his contribution to American music.