Snobbery

February 1, 2005 10:34 PM

Snobs & the uber-snobs who snub them by William F. Buckley, Jr. "...Snobs should read this book. Also, anti-snobs. Also those who wonder... deep down whether they are more like... Aristophanes, Shakespeare, Dante, and Christ"
posted by growabrain (18 comments total)

We are informed that there are no snobs in Shakespeare, Dante, Aristophanes, or the Bible.

And there are certainly none in Le bourgeois gentilhomme.
posted by Wolof at 11:22 PM on February 1, 2005

Whatever its actual origin, by the late 18th century, "snob" had been picked up by university students in England, who used it to mean "townsman," as opposed to a "gownsman," or student. By the 1830s, "snob" was slang for an ostentatiously vulgar commoner, and in 1848 the novelist William Thackeray expanded the term yet further in his "Book of Snobs," where he used the term to denote a kind of grasping, pretentious social climber. And by the early 20th century, "snob" was being used in its modern sense to describe a person who derives satisfaction from disdaining those of lower social rank.

But remember - not all snobs are what they seem.
posted by madamjujujive at 4:01 AM on February 2, 2005

MetaFilter: snobs & the uber-snobs who snub them
posted by lenny70 at 4:51 AM on February 2, 2005

When I think of snobs, William F. Buckley Jr. comes to mind.
posted by lobstah at 5:07 AM on February 2, 2005

When I think of good front page posts, I don't think of book reviews from September 2002.
posted by contessa at 5:22 AM on February 2, 2005

Aristophanes and the Bible I accept. Dante, perhaps, although the role of the Courtier was emerging at this point- certainly displaying aspects of snobbery, though ideally with much more decorum than current manifestations of the social type. Shakespeare? Maybe, though if we fast-foreward even 50 years we get snobs (at least in London).

Buckley is a snob, though he pales before Herr Professor Epstein.
posted by Dr_Johnson at 5:34 AM on February 2, 2005

lobstah: On the other hand, he did write an Elvis book. But, y'know, half of everyone gives in to the King eventually.
posted by raysmj at 5:46 AM on February 2, 2005

We are informed that there are no snobs in Shakespeare, Dante, Aristophanes, or the Bible.

'Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! but this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!'
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:09 AM on February 2, 2005

raysmj: Yes he did, but isn't it telling that he felt that the Elvis story needed to be improved, and turned into fiction.

BTW, I enjoyed your images of Augusta...especially " The Other Side".
posted by lobstah at 6:11 AM on February 2, 2005

oops..my bad, Savannah !
posted by lobstah at 6:13 AM on February 2, 2005

MetaFilter: snobs & the uber-snobs who snub them

winner
posted by rxrfrx at 6:57 AM on February 2, 2005

Smart Dalek, I assume the question is whether or not something like the category of snob was available, not whether or not people act like snobs. In this respect, it requires the emergence of a subtlely gradated class structure. Nothing like this really existed in the Roman period, even in the cities.
posted by Dr_Johnson at 7:20 AM on February 2, 2005

Oh, it's both Augusta and Savannah - and thanks!
posted by raysmj at 7:27 AM on February 2, 2005

When I think of snobs, William F. Buckley Jr. comes to mind.
posted by lobstah at 5:07 AM PST on February 2

Seconded.
What with the fake accent and the stupid bowtie, pretending he's some sort of academic Hugh Hefner.
posted by nofundy at 9:03 AM on February 2, 2005

I've never met Buckley, and he is a true asshole.

I have had to deal with Epstein professionally, when I was a small banana at a prominent literary journal, and me and the editor spent a good few hours discussing what a major asshole he is as well.
posted by bardic at 9:33 AM on February 2, 2005

*sob*
I'm a snob.
I drive a SAAB.
I detest corn-on-the-cob,
people named Bob,
and poetry that rhymes.

:-)
posted by C.Batt at 11:21 AM on February 2, 2005

What with the fake accent and the stupid bowtie, pretending he's some sort of academic Hugh Hefner.

George Will is the one with the bowtie.
posted by jonmc at 12:39 PM on February 2, 2005

And George Will is no academic hugh hefner.
posted by Dr_Johnson at 7:17 AM on February 3, 2005