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Maybe they aren't "elitists" after all
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Nofsdad


Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 6746
Location: Central CA
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:38 pm    Post subject: Maybe they aren't "elitists" after all  
A lot of discussion lately on elitism and what constitutes an "elitist" view. It strikes me that a better word for what we see displayed here from time to time is snobbery as practiced by snobs of one sort or another. It's so much easier to define and indentify at this level.

A basic description from Wikipedia: Characteristically, snobs look down on people who are part of groups that they regard as inferior to them for various reasons.

Further from Wiki:
Quote:
A snob, guilty of snobbery, is a person who adopts the worldview that some people are inherently inferior to him/her for any one of a variety of reasons including real or supposed intellect, wealth, education, ancestry, etc. Often, the form of snobbery reflects the offending individual's socio-economic background. For example, a common snobbery of the affluent is the affectation that [b]wealth is either the cause or result of superiority, or both as in the case of privileged children. However, a form of snobbery can be adopted by someone not a part of that group; Pseudo-intellectual is a type of snob. Such a snob imitates the manners, adopts the world-view and affects the lifestyle of a social class of people to which he or she aspires, but does not yet belong.


From Wictionary:
Quote:
snob (plural snobs)

Snob

1. (disapproving) (informal) A person who seeks to be a member of the upper classes and looks down on other classes such as lower classes.


Quote:
snobbish

1. Having the property of being a snob, arrogant and pretentious, smuggly superior or dismissive as inferior.


From wiseGEEK:
Quote:
There are those who feel a natural sense of superiority over others, whether it be physical prowess, intellectual capacity, social standing or financial status. A snob, however, generally crosses over the line and exhibits boorish or overbearing behavior towards those he or she views as inferior. A rich person may enjoy the finer things in life, but a snob enjoys watching others suffer because of it. A snob often shows disdain for those who operate in lower social circles.

A snob may not even realize he or she comes across as effete or snobbish, but others may recognize the skills immediately. One might be described as a fashion snob, or a wine snob, or a social snob depending on the circumstances. The distinguishing characteristic between an expert and a snob may be the difference between being opinionated and judgmental.

Essentially, a snob assumes that his or her social, financial or educational status entitles him or her to be dismissive of others. A snob may come across as an elitist or as a condescending expert, which naturally incurs the ire of others around him or her. Etymologically speaking, however, a snob is really someone who is playing out of his or her actual social depth.
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GoodFella


Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 2179
Location: A little bit sideways!
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:40 am    Post subject:  
As always Nofs is on the money.

Quote:

Essentially, a snob assumes that his or her social, financial or educational status entitles him or her to be dismissive of others. A snob may come across as an elitist or as a condescending expert, which naturally incurs the ire of others around him or her. Etymologically speaking, however, a snob is really someone who is playing out of his or her actual social depth.


I'll leave it at that. Thumbs Up ~GoodFella
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Major Appliance


Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1292
Location: Brand Central
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:48 pm    Post subject:  
while you are considering the etymology and definition of words, here are a couple you might wish to consider:


American Heritage Dictionary

inferiority complex

n. A persistent sense of inadequacy or a tendency to self-diminishment, sometimes resulting in excessive aggressiveness through overcompensation.


anti-intellectual

adj. smug and ignorant and indifferent or hostile to artistic and cultural values. philistine

n. a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
lowbrow



Wink

Last edited by Major Appliance on Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Nofsdad


Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 6746
Location: Central CA
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:04 pm    Post subject:  
No way Sparky, but nice try. Wink I'll stack my life up against yours any day in terms of fulfillment and contribution to society. I don't have a damned thing to feel inferior about... especially to you.

Any particular reason you felt a need to to try to hijack this thread with an entirely different subject? Wink
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Nofsdad


Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 6746
Location: Central CA
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:54 pm    Post subject:  
The Snob Club's Top Ten Ways The Poor Can Cut Down On Food Expenses:

10. Get politician to buy lunch on government credit card.

9. Cruise Costco for food samples.

8. Convince yourself that Ramen is tasty.

7. Pretend growling stomach is the inner you expressing itself.

6. Scrape up yummy road kill.

5. Sell a kidney on black market.

4. Beat rats to food scraps in restaurant dumpsters.

3. Get arrested, and enjoy fine jail cuisine.

2. Invite people to your wedding, but tell them reception is potluck.

1. Two words: Hunger strike.
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