Pleb, bigot or toff

[????]

First two are political no no but the latter seems ok.....can't see much difference myself

[Otta]

I'm waiting for "chav" to be muttered in the commons.

[Salsaboy]

or 'Pikey'.

[????]

Diddy

[maxxi]

Toff isn't nearly sneery enough when compared to the others - there are elements of compliment in it old-school-style "Cor, you're a toff guvnor and no mistake" as well as the accepted Alf Tupper "Grr those toffs from Ardsley AAC have swiped me vest!" which still sounds quaint.

The opposite of pleb appears to be aristocrat or patrician so maybe wristy prat (with accompanyng gesture)?

[Jah Lush]

Cunt

[RosieH]

I do think the issue with toff, or any kind of reverse snobbery, is slightly different from calling someone a pleb.

It reminds me very much of the scene in Emma, when Knightley scolds Emma for taking the piss out of someone much, much worse off than herself, saying she warrants compassion, not contempt.

And while I think snobbery works both ways, and is not to be condoned, I think it reflects on those in positions of privilege very badly indeed that they use their elevated position to ridicule and belittle those whom fortune has favoured rather less. Without a doubt, reverse snobbery often encompasses a degree of envy, but I'd imagine there's quite an element of resentment at being looked down on at play too.

[Mick Mac]

There is something wrong with being a bigot. So it's a description of a failing a person may have developed. If it's correct then so be it but it's an accusation nonetheless. I know one..

A toff or a pleb I think are not related to a person's consciousness but their upbringing and as that is not something they can change then it seems it's these two which are wrong and "classist" if there is such a thing.

[Chillaxed]

"I do think the issue with toff, or any kind of reverse snobbery, is slightly different from calling someone a pleb."

Snobbery and reverse-snobbery may be slightly different where the reasons for each are considered, but they're just as bad as each other. I'll hazard a general observation and note that reverse-snobbery is common (no pun intended) and explicit on this forum, whereas snobbery is usually implicit or inferred by the reader.

[Fabricio the Guido]

Anyone who uses a 'reverse' argument is more a sophist than insightful: See 'reverse' racism and the new one 'heterophobia' . Even, the Church is claiming discrimination these days and taking cases to Europe. Why not the privileged?

Ignorance will have you supporting the oppressors and condemning the oppressed.

[david_carnell]

What Fabricio said.

[Annette Curtain]

What Carnell said.

[Chillaxed]

The OP's question was whether there is a difference between a calling a person a pleb or a toff. My answer is that they are both wrong. I don't see any posters using a 'reverse' argument to justify calling a person a pleb.

[Otta]

What Annette said.

[*Bob*]

what, what

[Mick Mac]

Toff....

[Jeremy]

I dunno. Snobbery/discrimination is unpleasant either way, but there is something particularly distasteful about those in a privileged position looking down on those less fortunate.

[katie1997]

What Jeremy/Quids/chillaxed said.

[RosieH]

Hang on, that's what I said! And first!

fuckers

[Mick Mac]

The error in the OP's question (if I may be so bold as to point this out) is to include the word bigot, which I pointed out above is a state of mind:

"Bigotry is the state of mind of a bigot, defined by Merriam-Webster as "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices;"

That's probably why most people's points are ignoring the word bigot and concentrating on comparing toff and pleb, each of which refer to people's background and not state of mind.

[Ted Max]

Is this like snog, marry, avoid?

[david_carnell]

Stop fishing for compliments, Ted. You know the ladies want to marry you already!

[Marmora Man]

But what about the apparently irresistable rise in suspicion of any, and every, institution or individual in a position of power.

It appears that the working assumption is that if the organisation is big or powerful (BBC, Banking, Police, Parliament, Major manufacturers, Supermarkets, the press) or the individual is aristocratic, rich or through fame & celebrity in an "elevated" position (sportsmen & woment, pop stars, TV personalities, politicians) then they must be, de facto, abusing this position.

Now I recognise that just because we're paranoid it doesn't mean someone isn't following us - but I think this working assumption is lazy thinking and gnaws away at mutual respect, courtesy and the fabric of society as a whole.

Without trust and respect society fails and anarchy rules.

[Ted Max]

You are Julian Fellowes AICM Christmas Special Downton Abbey Boxset.

[Annette Curtain]

Is "Muppet" ever/still acceptable ?