nouveau riche 

nouveau riche means "newly rich" in french. One who has recently become rich, especially one who flaunts newly acquired wealth.

nouveau riche is a term, usually derogatory, to describe persons who acquire wealth within their generation, and spend it conspicuously. The implication is that, being of lower- or middle-class origin, these individuals lack the taste to properly use wealth. Hence, this class of people is sometimes ill-regarded by old money as culturally inferior, comparatively lacking in pedigree and subtlety.

The benchmark of the "nouveau riche" is their acquiring posessions which are touted to them as being the sort of things that rich people would possess. "Old money" in traditional European societies have inherited a large house filled with well-built furniture acquired over the centuries. Their cars are not necessarily the most expensive and capable, but have a bit of restraint, or else they disguise their social position in cars of the middle rank. During the Great Depression, Chryslers, for example, were sold to such people for this reason. They fit within a social milieu in which everyone knows everyone else and has for generations. The "nouveau riche" in essence try to crash this party by buying everything they need to show that they have money not merely within one generation but within a few years.

Paris Hilton, jumped out of her new viper car, wearing a tight skimpy dress, clutching her tiny dog, and started posing for the camera's, telling everybody how 'sexy' and 'rich' she is.

A group of conservative Brooks Brothers/Polo cladded teenagers, rolled their eyes, and thought, "nouveau riche."

nouveau riche by Marguerite July 30, 2008

nouveau riche 

Nouveau riche is French for 'New Rich.' It refers to wealthy people who aren't from old money or aren't blue blooded. They may be rich, but they're not socially accepted yet by those who have had wealth in their family for generations.

Tom is summering on the vineyard, but is still outcasted because he's nouveau riche.

nouveau riche by trustcofan33 March 17, 2005

nouveau riche 

A pejorative term for one who has recently become rich and who spends money conspicuously. From French, meaning "new rich."

Gupta chromed out on his 87 volvo? Man, that guy is so nouveau riche!

nouveau riche by brap October 24, 2004

nouveau riche 

A term of reference used by the already rich to describe people who had the audacity to become rich by actually working for it rather than by patronage and inheritance.

One could argue that the only validity of the derogatory moniker is for those who have more money than class - but then that could be said of the more traditional rich.

This ski resort is full of nouveau riche!

nouveau riche by Benjamin May 13, 2005