Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#112003 09/13/03 06:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
In looking for something else, I happened on a UK site
discussing the word "snob" Scroll down three quarters:
http://www.yaelf.com/index.shtml

To me, a snob is one who with feigned subtlety conveys his
feelings of superiority to others.
Let's hear some other definitions.


#112004 09/13/03 10:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
for me, a snob doesn't necessarily have to be subtle.



formerly known as etaoin...
#112005 09/13/03 11:26 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
I agree, eta ~ to me snobs often seem inordinately proud of their social pretensions.

My working definition woudl be a person who is so preoccupied with the appearance of social eminence that they disdain all those they perceive as below them in the pecking order and fawn on those they perceive as above them. I suspect google would come back from the well with a full (Hyacinth) Bouquet. :)


#112006 09/14/03 01:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Keeping Up Appearences has just started over with episode one (up to 3 of 4 now) on my local PBS station.

Rutledge is a wonder actor, the show is perfect presentation of a class and social climbing boor, but Hyacinth has one fault--she actually works hard to do things right.. She does dress well, and her house is clean and neat, and she does make cakes and desserts that look every bit as good as the ones from the shop--

to me, a snob would want a perfect cake, and look down at an obvious home made effort, but wouldn't actually be able to do any better than what they were sneering at.

Hyacinths attempts -she puts in an effort to look good, and to do good. She has a superior attitude about her, but she also make a real effort to put out a superior performance. What spoils her work, is her mouth! so she is a boor more than a snob.

a snob is someone who tries to act superior, but is not, a boor is superior, but can't help bragging about it in a rude way.


#112007 09/14/03 01:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
a few Britcoms spring to mind that do such a good job of showing the lighter side of snobbery: as mentioned by Helen, Keeping Up Appearances, also Good Neighbors, and To the Manor Born.
perhaps if I thought about it for longer, I could generate a more comprehensive list, because maybe that's what most shows are about; the comparison of the social strata...



formerly known as etaoin...
#112008 09/14/03 01:44 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
> tries to act superior, but is not

That's really interesting, Helen - it's a distinction that wouldn't have occurred to me. hm, I can see the idea, but still not sure... I've had some fearful (sic) snobs talk down to me over the years, and some of them I would have no idea of their actual abilities. hmmmm. OTOH, it's true there is an implicit pretence in the actions of a typical snob because their intention is to convince others of their social standing, often despite evidence to the contrary. I need to think about that more; be interested to hear others' take on this.


#112009 09/14/03 04:19 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
it's one i am very aware of, Mav, dear, I am sometimes boorish, but never snobish--I don't think i am superior, I am. but sometimes i forget its boring and rude to point it out!


#112010 09/14/03 04:27 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Well, I would be more direct than you, mav. I do not share Helen's perception of a snob. I do not think that being a snob means merely striving after social superiority, nor do I think that such usage would be common here. To be sure, those who merely strive could be snobs, but the word is in no way exclusive to such ones, at least as I both use it and hear it used. I have had dealings with plenty of snobs of both the wannabe and the alreadyare varieties.


#112011 09/14/03 12:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Can you think of a snob in literature earlier than the Pharisee who every day gave thanks that he was not as other men. The Holier than Thou contingent.



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 302 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5