Talk:Parvenu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Honestly, I've only really heard widespread usage of "Nouveau Riche". If anything, shouldn't "Parvenu" be merged into that?--80.47.43.207 20:11, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Indeed. If "parvenu" is a notable concept in its own right, the two should remain separate, but nouveau riche is a much more widely known term and clearly deserves its own article. CameoAppearance ^orate 13:23, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

I concur. The term nouveau riche is especially prominent in literature (across several languages), whilst the term parvenu is more limited to specific social circles. As a matter of fact, (no source here, but from experience) nouveau riche is sooner used in French than parvenu (despite both terms coming from the French language). I expect this to be simply because nouveau riche, meaning new rich (or rather, emergent/new wealthy person) is easier to place and understand in context than parvenu, even for French-speakers (parvenir is not a very common word anymore). Since literature has its bases in successful communication I find it little wonder that nouveau riche would be so widespread in the same. Keeping the two articles separate but with "See Also" links is the best choice IMO... Signed: El Belga^TM 05:15, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Concur with separation. NR is far more known (at least in the parts of the US I travel, I can't speak for the global audience) and it is a specific term (new to a particular class) while parvenu is a general term (new to any class). The two articles should be cross-referenced, as El Bega suggets. Slapshot24 08:30, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

As a Belgian from the province of West-Flanders, wich has a dialect of Dutch strongly influenced by the French language, and as french-speaker as well, i can say that the term 'parvenu' is still quite widely used, and is not exactly the same thing as nouveau riche. Nouveau riche puts more emphasis on the simply rising on the social ladder, while parvenu puts more emphasis on the not being adjusted to this new social class. A reference would definitely be a good idea, but bear in mind that the terms are not synonyms.

I think that there is a shading to the two expressions that can be different. NR does more than imply new money, and "parvenu" can be totally divorced from wealth or new-found financial wealth or position.

A person wanting to join a new group (e.g. a fan group, person who shows up at a rally or a game with a whole new kit of everything that the team store has to offer this season in clothing could be considered "parvenu." This is not a good example, but the best that I can think of that could be generalized. hat, jacket, shirt, shoes, scarf, only this season's clothes, suggests someone who is trying to join in and may not be succeeding. A shirt from 10 years ago, a scarf from the previous design change, not brand-spanking new, says long-time fan). Talking statistics of the game isn't the same thing as being a long-time, through good times and bad, fan.

Or someone who is just joining an organization, a neighborhood, a city could be "parvenu" Katydidn't 04:20, 10 June 2007 (UTC)katydidn't.

[edit] Form of classism?

I agree that parvenu does not necessarily imply a financial designation whereas nouveau riche does. But my question, which is unrelated, has do with the constitution of classism within the same class. Whether or not there exists some form of discrimination or prejudice within the class is not really an issue for me, the issue is whether discrimination against someone with the same or similar financial means, with ostensibly the same class interests constitues classism. If the nouveau riche do not constitute a lower class, can it really be classism? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sandschie (talk • contribs) 18:19, 18 May 2008 (UTC)