Definition

Noun: - A class or group of people considered to be foolish, ignorant, or unsophisticated; the mass of uneducated or gullible people in a society. The term is a portmanteau of "boob" (a foolish person) and "bourgeoisie."

Usage

The word "booboisie" is a singular, collective noun. It is used to refer to the perceived ignorant masses as a single entity or class, often in a critical or satirical context regarding public opinion, taste, or intellect. - The columnist's essays frequently mocked the political opinions of the booboisie. - He blamed the popularity of sensationalist media on the tastes of the booboisie.

Advanced Usage

• The term is inherently critical and carries a connotation of intellectual or cultural elitism. It is rarely, if ever, used in a neutral or positive manner.
• It is often employed in political or cultural commentary to critique populist movements, lowbrow entertainment, or widespread beliefs deemed irrational by the speaker.

Variants and Related Words

• Boob (noun): A foolish or stupid person. This is the root word within "booboisie."
  • He felt like a boob for forgetting his keys.
• Bourgeoisie (noun): The middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes. This is the other root word within the portmanteau.

Synonyms

• Hoi polloi: The common people; the masses (often used with similar elitist undertones).
• The masses: The ordinary people.
• The great unwashed: A derogatory term for the common people.
• Philistines: People who are hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts.

Antonyms

• Intelligentsia: The intellectual elite of a society.
• Cognoscenti: People who are especially well-informed about a particular subject.
• Literati: Well-educated people who are interested in literature.

Notes

• "Booboisie" is a coined term popularized by the American journalist and critic H. L. Mencken in the early 20th century. Its usage today is somewhat archaic but retains its specific satirical and derogatory force in certain types of commentary.

Noun

1. class consisting of all those who are considered boobs