Social Class: English Vocabulary List

the people that are of the highest class in a society

"The party was for them."

"The party was for the upper crust and the guests arrived in limousines wearing designer gowns."

(of people) having a rank or position that is high or honorable

"He sits above the salt."

"In medieval times important guests sat above the salt meaning they were near the host."

an exaggerated or artificial display of superiority or elegance

"She displays airs and graces."

"The wealthy woman put on airs and graces as if she was better than everyone else."

someone who is born in a family that is of noble rank or social prominence

"The duke has blue blood."

"The duke has blue blood and his family ancestry can be traced back to the Norman conquest."

a person who is favored or treated with special privilege, often by someone in a position of authority

"He is the teacher's fair-haired boy."

"The young salesman was the fair haired boy of the company because he always met his targets."

privileged by birth or family background

"She was born to the purple."

"The prince was born to the purple and never had to work for anything in his life."

to be born into a wealthy or privileged family and having access to all the luxuries and comfort that comes with it

"Born with silver spoon."

"He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never worked."

wealth that is inherited to one from a royal or very rich family

"He inherited a silver spoon."

"He was born with a silver spoon and never had to work for anything in his entire life."

intellectuals, commentators, or influencers who are frequently talking or writing about public issues and current events but who may lack practical experience or political power

"The chattering class spoke."

"The chattering class discussed the scandal endlessly but did nothing to help the victims."

a poor area in a town or city in which a lot of homeless or drunk people live

"The alcoholic ended up on skid row."

"The alcoholic ended up on skid row and slept in doorways after losing his job and his home."

a very safe and wealthy area in a city or town

"He lives right side tracks."

"His family lived on the right side of the tracks in the wealthy part of town."

a perspective that emphasizes the view or situation of someone with lower status or authority

"Gives a worm's eye view."

"The intern gave a worm eye view of the company problems from his low position."

a manner of speaking associated with wealth, social status, or formal education

"She has plum in mouth."

"His overly precise and enunciated speech gave him a plum in his mouth, suggesting a privileged background."

(of people) having a status, position, or reputation that is low

"He sits below salt."

"The servants sat below the salt at the long table far away from the host."