Nouveau Riche refers to those who have acquired wealth recently or in simpler terms, from rags-to-riches. Those who have rose from bottom up. The term is quiet derogative, used mainly by the upper class that have been wealthy for centuries and represent dynasties of wealth.
The term is considered derogatory because being nouveau riche refers to the person being associated with tactlessness, lack of taste, and questionable cultural or social practices. Like they do not appreciate the finer things in life since they haven’t been cultured properly.
Nouveau Riche is a French term meaning ‘new rich’ and ‘new money’. The difference between the nouveau riche and the members of wealthy generations are the fact that the newly rich are the new money with little appreciation and lacking in upper class social skills and the wealthy generations are considered old money as they are more cultured and refined and are often leading members in the upper crust of society. Directories of important people in a community usually include old money, sometimes dismissed by the nouveau riche as traditionalists or the “old guard.” The Old guards are people who have a long linage of wealthy ancestries and where their surnames are well known among the rich and famous.
Members of the newly rich oftentimes find it hard to be accepted among the old guards because of the difference in refined pedigree and social circles. While the old guards have wealth that is passed down for centuries and comes with a responsibility, the new money members come from lower classes and are perceived to have less refined social value.
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