What Is The Opposite Of A Toff?

[naomi24]

On these pages we regularly see people who are perceived to lead privileged lives described as ‘toffs’ or 'posh boys', with no offence taken, but I can't recall seeing such blanket expressions used for people who are not perceived to live privileged lives. Is there an acceptable term for them?

[DTCwordfan]

'the masses'?

'plebs'?

[Baby_Sham]

Working class?

[Prudie]

Well I was about to say not sure but definitely not plebs!

[BlackadderV]

Chavs.

[hc4361]

Nowt wrong with plebeian, the working class.

[Sam1960]

commoner !!

[Prudie]

No no, Naomi says is there an acceptable term

[hc4361]

A chav is the lowest of the low

[ummmm]

I would agree with working class.

But coming from a working class background doesn't mean you have less money than 'toffs'

[twofeathers]

Working class? In the words of Lennon. A working class hero is something to be!

This reminds me of the two ronnies clip with John Cleese

[Canary42]

Ordinary

[Baby_Sham]

Absolutely, ummmm!

Toffs' money tends to be all 'on paper'. There are many working class families with real money!

[supapapa]

Pheasants

[BlackadderV]

Roman society was traditionally divided into two strata; patrician (toff) and plebeian (non-toff). How about the Greek expression, hoi polloi?

[twofeathers]

You're right about the money thing

[BlackadderV]

I think Naomi is barking up the wrong tree here. The words toff and posh boy (note, not girl) are meant to be derogatory, although they can be used in a humorous way.

[douglas9401]

Ahem, antimony

[Postdog]

UKIP supporters?

[BlackadderV]

...sits back and waits for resposnes to Postdog's post!!!