the.com/elitism
the velvet rope around competence, sometimes guarding genius, sometimes just guarding the rope.
means The belief that a select few — by talent, wealth, education, or birth — deserve greater influence, privilege, or status than everyone else.
from From "elite," which English borrowed in the 18th century from French élite, "the chosen," itself from Old French eslite, the past participle of élire, "to choose" — and behind that, Latin eligere, "to pick out" (e-, "out," plus legere, "to gather, select"), the same root that gives us "elect" and "eligible." The "-ism" — the suffix that turns any leaning into a doctrine — was bolted on much later, in the 19th century, when "the chosen" hardened from a description into an ideology.
- word origin
- From French elite, meaning the chosen or selected few.
- oxford accent
- Received Pronunciation signals class to fewer than 3% of Brits.
- backfire risk
- Exclusivity can fuel resentment that topples the elite entirely.
- meritocracy myth
- Term was coined as satire, not a compliment.
- velvet pricing
- Luxury goods sell more when priced absurdly higher.
ivy league universities — 8 northeastern us colleges with $50b+ combined endowment, admit <4% of applicants, educate 1% of us students but produce disproportionate share of leaders
the bullingdon club — oxford university dining club founded 1780, members-only, £2000+ annual fees, produced uk prime ministers david cameron and boris johnson
soho house — private members' club with $2,000+ initiation fees, locations in major cities worldwide, membership restricted to creative professionals and wealthy individuals