Bourgie

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈbuːʒi/

Definitions

1. Pertaining to individuals or behaviors that prioritize capitalistic values, social prestige, and adherence to traditional standards
2. Relating to a mindset that emphasizes wealth, social visibility, and conventional aspirations often linked to the middle class
3. Describing attitudes or lifestyles that emphasize material wealth, social validation, and adherence to middle-class norms while often critiquing pretentiousness

Etymology: "Bourgie" is a clipped form of "bourgeois," the French word for a member of the middle class, which in turn came into English from Old French "bourgeois," meaning a town dweller or citizen, from "bourg," a fortified settlement. The English adjective "bourgeois" was used for much of its history to describe conventional, materialistic attitudes, so "bourgie" carries that same sneer in a more casual, slangy form. The clipped spelling "bourgie" sits alongside "bougie," which is also an English adjective with the same sense, and the two forms are closely related. Both are informal and tend to be used with a teasing or dismissive tone, often aimed at people who prize expensive tastes, upscale brands, or social polish.