Learn English – How toffee-nosed is “toffee-nosed”

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Not being a speaker of British English, I was much amused on discovering the new adjective toffee-nosed. The American Heritage dictionary doesn't list it at all, but I found a definition in Collins:

snobbish; pretentiously superior

The Phrase Finder (UK) goes on to explain that it derives from toff, a slang term given by the lower-classes to stylishly-dressed upper-class gentlemen. So immediately there is a classist aspect to it. Apparently it is also >150 years old, and not used throughout the UK.

I have two (well, more technically) questions about this word.

Is the word itself still understood as being used by the lower class, or does its use connote something about the user other than disdain for the upper class? (Rephrased, is someone who uses the word toffee-nosed today, actually "toffee-nosed", that is, pretentious?)

And why is this illustration of a man with a pineapple (ananas) on his chest found with the definition of toffee-nosed? Does it imply anything about language?

man with a pineapple on chest![b

Best Answer

Is the word itself still understood as being used by the lower class, or does it's use connote something about the user other than disdain for the upper class? (Rephrased, is someone who uses the word toffee-nosed today, actually "toffee-nosed", that is, pretentious?)

I'd say it's mainly used by people who wouldn't be considered toffee-nosed, usually against those considered posh or acting in a snobbish manner, and it's rarely a compliment.

Here's a few tweets:

  • . . I very much doubt that even the toffee nosed, pompous arses who do stumble across my page will share your views." (source)

  • Oh how sad...I just got a press release saying 'Britain's stately home owners living in fuel poverty'. My poor heart is bleeding for aristos

    • sell up then u bunch of toffee nosed eejits (source)

  • she called Craig a toffee nosed pretty boy. Wtf? (source)

  • Watch out for my rant half hour in i was surrounded by posh snobby money obsessed toffee nosed snobs & i had to say my bit. (source)

  • It was horrible Ry! I shan't be using public transport again.

    • mahaa....toffee nosed cow....oh,i finished coven tonight, hmmm.... (source)

  • George Osborne on The Agenda

    • Can't stand his politics but he's actually coming across as less toffee-nosed and robotic than normal. (source)

So here one is referring to stately-home owners; another person is calling a friend toffee-nosed for not wanting to travel on the bus due to other noisy passengers; another is referring to the privately-educated, Conservative chancellor of the exchequor with an estimated personal fortune of around £4 million.

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