codfish aristocracy

codfish aristocracy

A disparaging term for people who are recently rich. It was originally applied to the nouveau riche in 19th-century Boston. Primarily heard in US. I can't stand that members of the codfish aristocracy think that they belong at formal occasions with the more established families. Old money families spend to benefit the community. The codfish aristocracy, on the other hand, just throws their money away on meaningless material goods. If you go to Boston College, you'll become acquainted with the codfish aristocracy soon enough. They're gauche, and they're all over that fine city.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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Cavalier families sent their sons there, and the college proudly turned up its nose at the codfish aristocracy of Harvard.
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