Etymology Map
Back to all words

Nouveau riche

2 stages from French to English.

Today it means people who have recently become rich and flaunt it

Where does the word "nouveau riche" come from? It comes from French nouveau riche, adopted directly into English (1810s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
nouveau riche
French · 1700s
"new rich"
'new rich', a snub from established families
2
Stage 2 of 2
nouveau riche
English · 1810s
"newly rich"
borrowed as industry created new fortunes in Britain
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Nouveau riche’s story begins in French: nouveau riche meant “new rich.” 'new rich', a snub from established families. It reached English by 1810s as nouveau riche. Borrowed as industry created new fortunes in Britain. Today, nouveau riche means people who have recently become rich and flaunt it.