white-shoe

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Explanation of "White-Shoe"

Definition: The term "white-shoe" is an adjective used to describe a company, especially a law firm or financial institution, that is traditionally associated with the upper class, particularly those from wealthy, white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) backgrounds. These institutions are often seen as conservative and prestigious.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "white-shoe" to describe businesses or organizations that have a long history of being elite and are generally considered to be part of the upper class.
• It is often used in contexts discussing politics, business, or social status.

Example Sentence:

• "The politician tried to hide his white-shoe background, knowing it would make him seem out of touch with the average voter."

Advanced Usage:

• In a more complex sentence, you might say: "Many of the law firms in the city are white-shoe establishments, frequently representing clients with significant influence and wealth."

Word Variants:

• "White-shoe" is primarily used as an adjective and does not have many direct variants. However, you might encounter related terms like "blue blood," which also refers to people of high social status.

Different Meanings:

• The term "white-shoe" does not have many different meanings outside its specific context related to elite institutions. However, it can metaphorically imply conservatism and exclusivity in various settings.

Synonyms:

• Elite
• Prestigious
• Upper-class
• Exclusive

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While there aren't direct idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically use "white-shoe," you might consider phrases like:
  • "Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth," which refers to someone born into wealth and privilege.
  • "Old money," referring to families that have been wealthy for generations, similar to the idea of "white-shoe" firms.

Conclusion:

Understanding "white-shoe" can help you recognize discussions about social class, business prestige, and political backgrounds in English-speaking contexts.

Academic

Adjective

1. denoting a company or law firm owned and run by members of the WASP elite who are generally conservative
   • the politician tried to hide his white-shoe background