Nouveau Riche (French for “new rich”), or new money, refers to a person who has acquired considerable wealth within his or her generation. This term is generally to emphasize that the individual was previously part of a lower socioeconomic rank, and that such wealth has provided the means for the acquisition of goods or luxuries that were previously unobtainable. The term Nouveau Riche can also be used in a derogatory fashion, for the purposes of social class distinction, to describe persons with newfound wealth and who are viewed as lacking the experience, finesse, or taste to use wealth in the same manner as old money – persons from families who have been wealthy for multiple generations.

The term can also be used in a derogatory fashion, for the purposes of social class distinction, to describe persons with newfound wealth and who are viewed as lacking the experience, finesse, or taste to use wealth in the same manner as old money – persons from families who have been wealthy for multiple generations. The implication is that, despite their wealth, they are still of lower- or middle-class origin, and therefore culturally inferior. A stereotypical example would be persons with new wealth who spend money conspicuously, aspire to the tastes of their betters, or fail to disguise lower class preference.

As sophisticated as the term sounds, Nouveau Riche, has been given a new definition and grandeur within the 21st century. The lines that once separated society between new money and old money have been changed since the birth of the “overnight multimillionaire”. Internet moguls such as David Filo and Jerry Yang, creators of Yahoo!, are helping to redefine terms such as nouveau riche. Reagan-like ideas gave way to a futuristic industry, as found in the electronics business, in which “a bunch of wide-eyed kids” who “weren’t just out to make money: they were idealistic and were going to change the world

souces: http://en.wikipedia.org

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