snob

   This is a word of obscure origin which began by being a term in slang for a shoemaker. In the early part of the nineteenth century, chiefly due to William Thackeray, the word began to acquire something like its modern meaning of one who looks down on, or snubs, those whom he considers to be socially his inferiors.

   More recently a breed of intellectual snobs have made their presence felt, glorying in their own highbrow artistic tastes and sneering at more popular works.

   Although snubbing is now associated with snobs, the words are in no way etymologically related. Professor Weekley, in his Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, was no doubt right, however, to suggest that the established meaning of ‘snub’ may have influenced the sense development of ‘snob’. ‘Snob’ occurs from time to time as a vocative: ‘you poor bloody little snob’ is said by one man to another in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. Oliver’s Story, by Erich Segal, has one American man say to another ‘you goddamn Harvard snob!’ Unconditional Surrender, by Evelyn Waugh, has: ‘“Will you have a drink?” “What is it?” “Half South African sherry and half something called ‘Olde Falstaffe Gin’.” “I don’t think I will, thank you,” said Ludovic. “Snob,” said Lady Perdita.’