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.

for me, a snob doesn't necessarily have to be subtle.

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. :)

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.

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...

> 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.

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!

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.

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.