Patronisers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. People who act kindly toward others in a condescending way that makes them feel inferior ; those who regularly support or frequent a shop, restaurant or other establishment
2. Individuals who talk down to others with an air of superiority ; the regular customers or clients who keep a business going by visiting it often
3. Those who treat people as lesser beings through condescension ; habitual visitors and backers who sustain an establishment through their continued custom

Etymology: "Patronisers" is the plural of "patroniser," which is "patronise" with the agent suffix "-er" added, so it names people who do the patronising. The verb "patronise" comes from "patron," which in English has long meant someone who supports, protects or sponsors another, and the verb grew from that protective sense. The two meanings of the noun reflect that split. The first, people who treat others kindly but condescendingly, grows from the idea of a patron who stands above those he helps, so the help carries an air of superiority. The second, those who regularly frequent a shop or restaurant, takes the older commercial sense of patronage, where a customer is a patron of the business he supports.

Synonyms: patronizer, condescender