bunyip aristocracy
- noun
- Offensive
:
aristocracia de pacotilla (ofensivo)
- The satirical speech ridiculed politicians who saw themselves as part of a bunyip aristocracy.
Examples
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Many reject the idea of a bunyip aristocracy in a country known for its egalitarian values.
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Historians often reference the debate over establishing a bunyip aristocracy in colonial Australia.
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The bunyip aristocracy is pretentious.
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What a bunyip aristocracy they are!
-
Many reject the idea of a bunyip aristocracy in a country known for its egalitarian values.
-
The satirical speech ridiculed politicians who saw themselves as part of a bunyip aristocracy.
-
Historians often reference the debate over establishing a bunyip aristocracy in colonial Australia.
Synonyms
24
7.2
A small group of rich, powerful families who inherit titles and wealth
1
9.3
Acting as if you are rich or high class
1
9.3
Showing the attitude of a rich person who thinks they are better than others
Acting like a rich person to seem important
Having a proud, snobbish manner and showing off fashionable tastes
A person who has an important job that people mention as a joke
Antonyms
How Pretentious
- Offensive
72
5.1
- Offensive
- Offensive
8
9.9
- Offensive
4
5.4
5
2.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'bunyip' (an odd or foolish person) with 'aristocracy' (the elite class), so its intended meaning — an elite or pretentious group who are actually foolish or absurd — can be directly inferred from the constituents. While regionally Australian and somewhat humorous, the compositional logic is straightforward for a learner who knows both words.
Etymology
Bunyip aristocracy comes from the Australian mythical animal called the bunyip and the word aristocracy for nobles. One popular story says people pictured a made-up 'bunyip' dressed like a noble to mock those who 'pretend to be important', so the phrase means a fake or snobby group who act like rich or important people.