Timmy84 said:

ScissorsRockPaper said:

no, its hating. who defines who? we define ourselves, someone else defining us is hating and that's what the word represents.

Besides you miss my point all together, some people are raised differently and actually are bougie, they're not acting bougie.

*

[Edited 5/26/12 11:33am]

So I'm supposed to respect someone who turns their nose up at me because they came from such a privileged background? Yeaaaaaaaah... I don't think so. Your point's different from mine's anyway. And what do you call that? Pride? Nah it's bougie baby.

[Edited 5/26/12 13:35pm]

Yep, completely different.

bougie is slang, an abbreviation of the word bourgeoisie. It means that a person is trying to be high class when they aren't, in reality.

phoenetically pronouced "boor-zhwah-zee." - mispronouced "booshz-wah-zee" abbreviated to today's term "bougie," and pronouced "boozhee."

note: bourgeoisie, the social order that is dominated by the so-called middle class and sometimes upper class. in today's urban speech, the term means materialism, and a striving concern for “respectability.” (i say "hoity-toity)

free2bfreeda said:

bougie is slang, an abbreviation of the word bourgeoisie. It means that a person is trying to be high class when they aren't, in reality.

phoenetically pronouced "boor-zhwah-zee." - mispronouced "booshz-wah-zee" abbreviated to today's term "bougie," and pronouced "boozhee."

note: bourgeoisie, the social order that is dominated by the so-called middle class and sometimes upper class. in today's urban speech, the term means materialism, and a striving concern for “respectability.” (i say "hoity-toity)

Yeah then when you discovered they don't have shit, that makes them even worse. I respect those that actually MADE it and don't have the attitude of someone who thinks the world should kiss their feet every time they step out.

Genesia said:

Given that bougie is a contraction of bourgeois, it became a bad thing during the French Revolution.

Precisely. We learned about the French Bourgoisie from that period in 9th grade (World History) and later in 10th grade Poli Sci, and you're right, they weren't well looked upon back then either. The term bourgeois (adj.) and Bourgeoisie (n.) have always had a slight "sting" to them since that time, and rarely does one ever hear those words used (colloquially) in the context describing one who is simply a store owner or one of the middle class

morningsong said:

ScissorsRockPaper said:

Its has become yet another divisive word in the "community" that only further divides black people and is generally spoken in a negative context by economically disadvantaged blacks when referring to middle and/or upper-class (economically) blacks.

Its akin to statements like...

"he/she thinks he/she's all that"

"who does he/she think he/she is"

"he/she trying to act white"

Truth is, however, that not all blacks have the same life experiences or economic advantages and some blacks are raised in manners consistent with higher economic lifestyles, though no fault of their own, with (tennis courts in the backyard, brand new BMW for 16th birthday, private schools, suburban living, yearly vacations, etc.), and therefore do not identify with what has unfortunately been stereotyped as "black culture" - innercity living, loud-talking, cussing with every-other-word, thug/hoochie-dressing, cutting your boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.

Black people need to give each other a break and just get real with it. And, you're right Scriptgirl, the Bourgeois, since the 18th Century, has been a label for any ruling (upper) class, that's it and still is we just make it negative like everything else we're "afraid" of.

*

[Edited 5/26/12 10:10am]

smh

Wow.

Can I join you on that ?

^^ You all beat me to it.

chocolate1 said:

^^ You all beat me to it.

Least you joined the party. Because this person's comments are out of WHACK.

Timmy84 said:

chocolate1 said:

^^ You all beat me to it.

Least you joined the party. Because this person's comments are out of WHACK.

It goes right up there with: "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful..."

chocolate1 said:

Timmy84 said:

Least you joined the party. Because this person's comments are out of WHACK.

It goes right up there with: "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful..."

For real. Comments like that are just... what? I'm convinced someone's trolling here... how can anyone wanna be respected like that? Come on...

Timmy84 said:

chocolate1 said:

It goes right up there with: "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful..."

For real. Comments like that are just... what? I'm convinced someone's trolling here... how can anyone wanna be respected like that? Come on...

But there is some truth to parts of this post. Truly.

Since when is it wrong to speak grammatically correct English?

I was teased relentlessly as a kid for "talkin' white" because of the way I talked.

Also, teased and called "square" by kids in my neighborhood because I went to Catholic school.

And then I overheard an adult talking about "bourgie" N-word and surmised that he was talking about Blacks who sent their kids to private schools... in other words me and mine.

Nothing pretentious about it. My mom wanted her kids to go to a school with a better education curriculum, and could not afford to move to the better neighborhoods with the better schools so she sent us to Catholic schools.

I think what the Paperscissors was saying that not all people who are accused of being bourgie are in fact bourgie. That maybe the person who has labeled the person is really covering for jealousy or low self esteemed. <---- not sure the reason why they do this.... but I assure you my mom was called bourgie by some "friends" becasue she went to college to become a professional in the 60s and wanted her kids to have a better education and not stand for the "status quo".

morningsong said:

prodigalfan said:

Timmy84 said:

For real. Comments like that are just... what? I'm convinced someone's trolling here... how can anyone wanna be respected like that? Come on...

But there is some truth to parts of this post. Truly.

Since when is it wrong to speak grammatically correct English?

I was teased relentlessly as a kid for "talkin' white" because of the way I talked.

Also, teased and called "square" by kids in my neighborhood because I went to Catholic school.

And then I overheard an adult talking about "bourgie" N-word and surmised that he was talking about Blacks who sent their kids to private schools... in other words me and mine.

Nothing pretentious about it. My mom wanted her kids to go to a school with a better education curriculum, and could not afford to move to the better neighborhoods with the better schools so she sent us to Catholic schools.

I think what the Paperscissors was saying that not all people who are accused of being bourgie are in fact bourgie. That maybe the person who has labeled the person is really covering for jealousy or low self esteemed. <---- not sure the reason why they do this.... but I assure you my mom was called bourgie by some "friends" becasue she went to college to become a professional in the 60s and wanted her kids to have a better education and not stand for the "status quo".

No one said it was nothing wrong with speaking correct English. It was the pretentious part that is why I said what I said.

Timmy84 said:

ThisOne said:

over here bougie means dancing and it also means snot

nothing else...

so i dont get why anyone would b offended.... well unless u tell them they look like a bougie

You mean BOOGIE?

[img:$uid]http://gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs/74180_o.gif[/img:$uid]

i thought i was spelling it wrong i even typed boogie then changed it cause u guys spell funny

but no we dont use that word here

Timmy84 said:

prodigalfan said:

But there is some truth to parts of this post. Truly.

Since when is it wrong to speak grammatically correct English?

I was teased relentlessly as a kid for "talkin' white" because of the way I talked.

Also, teased and called "square" by kids in my neighborhood because I went to Catholic school.

And then I overheard an adult talking about "bourgie" N-word and surmised that he was talking about Blacks who sent their kids to private schools... in other words me and mine.

Nothing pretentious about it. My mom wanted her kids to go to a school with a better education curriculum, and could not afford to move to the better neighborhoods with the better schools so she sent us to Catholic schools.

I think what the Paperscissors was saying that not all people who are accused of being bourgie are in fact bourgie. That maybe the person who has labeled the person is really covering for jealousy or low self esteemed. <---- not sure the reason why they do this.... but I assure you my mom was called bourgie by some "friends" becasue she went to college to become a professional in the 60s and wanted her kids to have a better education and not stand for the "status quo".

No one said it was nothing wrong with speaking correct English. It was the pretentious part that is why I said what I said.

'

but my point is that paperscissor may have pointed out that people accused of being "bourgie" are not pretentious at.... just labeled that because they are different than the stereotypical image of a "real" black.

I think Paperscissor is not so off base by this post. Mainly because there are parts of his post that I experienced personally.

My mentioning diction and grammar was just one example of things that I was ridiculed for by not only neighbors but also extended family. And I heard the term bourgie by adults who thought that a 8 year old couldn't follow the conversation.

[Edited 5/26/12 19:11pm]

^ She may not have been off in what you pointed out but that was not really the argument here.

Timmy84 said:

prodigalfan said:

But there is some truth to parts of this post. Truly.

Since when is it wrong to speak grammatically correct English?

I was teased relentlessly as a kid for "talkin' white" because of the way I talked.

Also, teased and called "square" by kids in my neighborhood because I went to Catholic school.

And then I overheard an adult talking about "bourgie" N-word and surmised that he was talking about Blacks who sent their kids to private schools... in other words me and mine.

Nothing pretentious about it. My mom wanted her kids to go to a school with a better education curriculum, and could not afford to move to the better neighborhoods with the better schools so she sent us to Catholic schools.

I think what the Paperscissors was saying that not all people who are accused of being bourgie are in fact bourgie. That maybe the person who has labeled the person is really covering for jealousy or low self esteemed. <---- not sure the reason why they do this.... but I assure you my mom was called bourgie by some "friends" becasue she went to college to become a professional in the 60s and wanted her kids to have a better education and not stand for the "status quo".

No one said it was nothing wrong with speaking correct English. It was the pretentious part that is why I said what I said.

"Pretension" is not just about "speaking proper English"...

Definition of PRETENTIOUS

1

: characterized by pretension: as

a : making usually unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing) <the pretentious fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to him — Richard Watts>

b : expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature <pretentious language><pretentious houses>

(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)

Ex: My friend, who makes a good deal of money, is married to someone who "came from nothing". Now she walks around with her nose in the air, spending and climbing through society, looking down on others, acting like it was her birthright.

I'd call that heifer "bougie", except she wears it like a badge of honor.

chocolate1 said:

Timmy84 said:

"Pretension" is not just about "speaking proper English"...

Definition of PRETENTIOUS

1

: characterized by pretension: as

a : making usually unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing) <the pretentious fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to him — Richard Watts>

b : expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature <pretentious language><pretentious houses>

(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)

Ex: My friend, who makes a good deal of money, is married to someone who "came from nothing". Now she walks around with her nose in the air, spending and climbing through society, looking down on others, acting like it was her birthright.

I'd call that heifer "bougie", except she wears it like a badge of honor.

It's like as if your world doesn't mean anything because they "got it made" or whatever.

prodigalfan said:

Timmy84 said:

No one said it was nothing wrong with speaking correct English. It was the pretentious part that is why I said what I said.

'

but my point is that paperscissor may have pointed out that people accused of being "bourgie" are not pretentious at.... just labeled that because they are different than the stereotypical image of a "real" black.

I think Paperscissor is not so off base by this post. Mainly because there are parts of his post that I experienced personally.

My mentioning diction and grammar was just one example of things that I was ridiculed for by not only neighbors but also extended family. And I heard the term bourgie by adults who thought that a 8 year old couldn't follow the conversation.

[Edited 5/26/12 19:11pm]

I've experienced similar things...

But I didn't think the thread was about "the injustices suffered by those of us who aren't considered 'real Blacks'".

I, too, am "well-spoken" (was just called that on an interview the other day ).

In fact, I have a Doctorate...

But I will call "BS & Shenanigans" on someone acting like he/she is "more than" in a second.

**The worst ones are the ones who DON'T speak properly, and try to act like they're better!

some one here said they got called out for

'talkin white' and this was supose to be their

ONLY act for bein called out as bein boo gee?

i doubt that very seriously, but i do love

that someone brought up pretencious because

there are a few that not only do they speak

with excellent diction (e.g. white) but they also

put on an aire about them selves like because

they use the ability to speak in such a manner

that puts them three heads above the people they

come from (blacks), if one comes from the ghetto

it's not nessisary to speak ghetto ( whutever the fuck that is)

but it's MANDITORY that one remember where

they came from and who their families are.

boojhee is when you think you better than you are.

and whut lil i read of that bull shit about talkin 'white'

and i believe it was bein 'UPWARDLY MOBILE'

anyone can already hear the bullshit in the terms.

" i am whut you are not so i'm better "

the thing is i know white boys who know that it's

better to be a white man in this day and age,

YET do not put on a pretence of bein BETTER THAN anyone

and i can spell the shit anyway i see fit

chocolate1 said:

prodigalfan said:

'

but my point is that paperscissor may have pointed out that people accused of being "bourgie" are not pretentious at.... just labeled that because they are different than the stereotypical image of a "real" black.

I think Paperscissor is not so off base by this post. Mainly because there are parts of his post that I experienced personally.

My mentioning diction and grammar was just one example of things that I was ridiculed for by not only neighbors but also extended family. And I heard the term bourgie by adults who thought that a 8 year old couldn't follow the conversation.

[Edited 5/26/12 19:11pm]

I've experienced similar things...

But I didn't think the thread was about "the injustices suffered by those of us who aren't considered 'real Blacks'".

I, too, am "well-spoken" (was just called that on an interview the other day ).

In fact, I have a Doctorate...

But I will call "BS & Shenanigans" on someone acting like he/she is "more than" in a second.

**The worst ones are the ones who DON'T speak properly, and try to act like they're better!

"I, too, am "well-spoken" (was just called that on an interview the other day ). "

Don't you just love it.

"In fact, I have a Doctorate..."

I'm thisclose to going back to school for a doctorate. Trying to decide if it is worth the cost of the tuition. My mother is in my ear every week to go back and "finish" school. Like I'm some shiftless college drop out.

okay true enough.... bougie means more than acting "proper" speaking "proper".

To me y'all are describing acting "siddity" which is different in my mind than bourgie.

There is nothing positive about acting "siddity"

prodigalfan said:

okay true enough.... bougie means more than acting "proper" speaking "proper".

To me y'all are describing acting "siddity" which is different in my mind than bourgie.

There is nothing positive about acting "siddity"

yeah,

we call siddity, boojhee, petentious, all that

as "havin yo ass on yo back" and i know you know that one

KingBAD said:

some one here said they got called out for

'talkin white' and this was supose to be their

ONLY act for bein called out as bein boo gee?

i doubt that very seriously, but i do love

that someone brought up pretencious because

there are a few that not only do they speak

with excellent diction (e.g. white) but they also

put on an aire about them selves like because

they use the ability to speak in such a manner

that puts them three heads above the people they

come from (blacks), if one comes from the ghetto

it's not nessisary to speak ghetto ( whutever the fuck that is)

but it's MANDITORY that one remember where

they came from and who their families are.

boojhee is when you think you better than you are.

and whut lil i read of that bull shit about talkin 'white'

and i believe it was bein 'UPWARDLY MOBILE'

anyone can already hear the bullshit in the terms.

" i am whut you are not so i'm better "

the thing is i know white boys who know that it's

better to be a white man in this day and age,

YET do not put on a pretence of bein BETTER THAN anyone

and i can spell the shit anyway i see fit

Not just that. Also the clothes you wear, your hairstyle, getting good grades and being proud of that, not laughing/encouraging others when being loud and disrespectful to adults on the bus etc.

I was asked point black as a 12 year old, why was I going to a Catholic school.... what did I think I was "too good" to go to the public school like everyone else. And this was by an ADULT. I had to defend my mother's choice to send me to a private school.

But we were not bourgie.... and not pretentious. But I am very sure that when I heard that adult later talking about "bourgie N's" he was talking about us.

Now why did he think that? BEcause my mom chose to spend her money on a private school? Because he couldn't or didn't want to do the same?

My point is, everyone who is labeled as bourgie may not in fact be bourgie. Maybe the people were MOTHERF*CKING JEALOUS and just acting like a stupid f*ck toward a kid!

Yeah, I said it!

prodigalfan said:

KingBAD said:

some one here said they got called out for

'talkin white' and this was supose to be their

ONLY act for bein called out as bein boo gee?

i doubt that very seriously, but i do love

that someone brought up pretencious because

there are a few that not only do they speak

with excellent diction (e.g. white) but they also

put on an aire about them selves like because

they use the ability to speak in such a manner

that puts them three heads above the people they

come from (blacks), if one comes from the ghetto

it's not nessisary to speak ghetto ( whutever the fuck that is)

but it's MANDITORY that one remember where

they came from and who their families are.

boojhee is when you think you better than you are.

and whut lil i read of that bull shit about talkin 'white'

and i believe it was bein 'UPWARDLY MOBILE'

anyone can already hear the bullshit in the terms.

" i am whut you are not so i'm better "

the thing is i know white boys who know that it's

better to be a white man in this day and age,

YET do not put on a pretence of bein BETTER THAN anyone

and i can spell the shit anyway i see fit

Not just that. Also the clothes you wear, your hairstyle, getting good grades and being proud of that, not laughing/encouraging others when being loud and disrespectful to adults on the bus etc.

I was asked point black as a 12 year old, why was I going to a Catholic school.... what did I think I was "too good" to go to the public school like everyone else. And this was by an ADULT. I had to defend my mother's choice to send me to a private school.

But we were not bourgie.... and not pretentious. But I am very sure that when I heard that adult later talking about "bourgie N's" he was talking about us.

Now why did he think that? BEcause my mom chose to spend her money on a private school? Because he couldn't or didn't want to do the same?

My point is, everyone who is labeled as bourgie may not in fact be bourgie. Maybe the people were MOTHERF*CKING JEALOUS and just acting like a stupid f*ck toward a kid!

Yeah, I said it!

i don't think any grown ass people should connfront kids or parents (in the presence of their kids)

about such things as this. it happens, esspeacially in large cities where hatefull folks ride the bus.

however sometimes the actions of goody goody folks can be strongly misconstrued.

my grandmother once said "i want my kids to be the best they can be so they can get away from you niggers..." my grandmother is 3/4 hungarian gypsy, and you know that didn't go over well.

i learned then that it's good to be 'upwardly mobile' long as we don't forget where we from and who we are. my grand mother made a statement that is the battle cry of those who send their kids to private school (no matter whut color they are) i want my kids to have way more than i could have

and the further from the herd the better, but i never want them to forget that the herd made it possible for them to be.

you understand? possible for them TO BE. and the herd will all ways be there and we always have

a responsibility to the herd. because we get out don't make us better.

LASTLY

anything i may say should only

fit the feet of those who

wear those shoes

Let me just clarify, it's great if you do good on the come up just be reminded of who you are and where you came from and I'll respect you. Just don't act like your shit don't stink because you graduate from college. You don't see me bragging about having an associate's degree to a thug, do you?

prodigalfan said:

okay true enough.... bougie means more than acting "proper" speaking "proper".

To me y'all are describing acting "siddity" which is different in my mind than bourgie.

There is nothing positive about acting "siddity"

So just as a clarification for everyone, bougie or bourgie is an adjective with negative connotation that simply means boorish or pretentious. It is the urban truncation of the French adjective bourgeois, which in former times was a signifier for a shop keeper or those who were of the middle class, or, as described in the writings of Karl Marx capitalists who belong in the property owner's class.

The word bourgeois over time has come to mean marked by preoccupation with material interests.

How one speaks has nothing to do with it.

prodigalfan said:

KingBAD said:

some one here said they got called out for

'talkin white' and this was supose to be their

ONLY act for bein called out as bein boo gee?

i doubt that very seriously, but i do love

that someone brought up pretencious because

there are a few that not only do they speak

with excellent diction (e.g. white) but they also

put on an aire about them selves like because

they use the ability to speak in such a manner

that puts them three heads above the people they

come from (blacks), if one comes from the ghetto

it's not nessisary to speak ghetto ( whutever the fuck that is)

but it's MANDITORY that one remember where

they came from and who their families are.

boojhee is when you think you better than you are.

and whut lil i read of that bull shit about talkin 'white'

and i believe it was bein 'UPWARDLY MOBILE'

anyone can already hear the bullshit in the terms.

" i am whut you are not so i'm better "

the thing is i know white boys who know that it's

better to be a white man in this day and age,

YET do not put on a pretence of bein BETTER THAN anyone

and i can spell the shit anyway i see fit

Not just that. Also the clothes you wear, your hairstyle, getting good grades and being proud of that, not laughing/encouraging others when being loud and disrespectful to adults on the bus etc.

I was asked point black as a 12 year old, why was I going to a Catholic school.... what did I think I was "too good" to go to the public school like everyone else. And this was by an ADULT. I had to defend my mother's choice to send me to a private school.

But we were not bourgie.... and not pretentious. But I am very sure that when I heard that adult later talking about "bourgie N's" he was talking about us.

Now why did he think that? BEcause my mom chose to spend her money on a private school? Because he couldn't or didn't want to do the same?

My point is, everyone who is labeled as bourgie may not in fact be bourgie. Maybe the people were MOTHERF*CKING JEALOUS and just acting like a stupid f*ck toward a kid!

Yeah, I said it!

Basically all that showed is that homeboy really didn't understand the true connotation of the word, and just needed something bad to say about your family in order to make himself feel better about his own life choices

Ottensen said:

prodigalfan said:

Not just that. Also the clothes you wear, your hairstyle, getting good grades and being proud of that, not laughing/encouraging others when being loud and disrespectful to adults on the bus etc.

I was asked point black as a 12 year old, why was I going to a Catholic school.... what did I think I was "too good" to go to the public school like everyone else. And this was by an ADULT. I had to defend my mother's choice to send me to a private school.

But we were not bourgie.... and not pretentious. But I am very sure that when I heard that adult later talking about "bourgie N's" he was talking about us.

Now why did he think that? BEcause my mom chose to spend her money on a private school? Because he couldn't or didn't want to do the same?

My point is, everyone who is labeled as bourgie may not in fact be bourgie. Maybe the people were MOTHERF*CKING JEALOUS and just acting like a stupid f*ck toward a kid!

Yeah, I said it!

Basically all that showed is that homeboy really didn't understand the true connotation of the word, and just needed something bad to say about your family in order to make himself feel better about his own life choices

Yup yup.

Ottensen said:

prodigalfan said:

Not just that. Also the clothes you wear, your hairstyle, getting good grades and being proud of that, not laughing/encouraging others when being loud and disrespectful to adults on the bus etc.

I was asked point black as a 12 year old, why was I going to a Catholic school.... what did I think I was "too good" to go to the public school like everyone else. And this was by an ADULT. I had to defend my mother's choice to send me to a private school.

But we were not bourgie.... and not pretentious. But I am very sure that when I heard that adult later talking about "bourgie N's" he was talking about us.

Now why did he think that? BEcause my mom chose to spend her money on a private school? Because he couldn't or didn't want to do the same?

My point is, everyone who is labeled as bourgie may not in fact be bourgie. Maybe the people were MOTHERF*CKING JEALOUS and just acting like a stupid f*ck toward a kid!

Yeah, I said it!

Basically all that showed is that homeboy really didn't understand the true connotation of the word, and just needed something bad to say about your family in order to make himself feel better about his own life choices

Exactly. That was a misuse of the word.

Timmy84 said:

chocolate1 said:

It goes right up there with: "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful..."

For real. Comments like that are just... what? I'm convinced someone's trolling here... how can anyone wanna be respected like that? Come on...

Don't take this personally - whether you "respect" me or not is not my concern, that's up to you.

Response to some of the comments related to my post:

1. divisive? yes. Yet another "label" we use against one another to separate us. Whose to say whether someone is "bougie" or not? Maybe "they" got it like that and "you" don't? And therefore, "you" don't understand where they're coming from. Doesn't make them bad or "bougie".

2. looking down on someone? how does one "look down on someone?" perhaps it more that, that person is "looking-up" at someone? -- in other workds "projecting" they're feelings of inadequacy on someone else.

3. forgetting where one came from? really what does this mean?

4. yes, it is akin to the don't hate me becaues i'm beautiful statement because its the same hater principle, as a fine woman walks into the room she could be as nice as anyone else, nicer even --what happens? the other women start projecting their insecurities on her and all of a sudden she becomes a "b" and a "h" and she thinks this and that---same story as the bougie statement.

5. and yes, those who are "proper" or educated or even take pride in trying to "better" themselves often get labeled as "bougie"; why is that? what's wrong with that?

6. i'm of the mindset that bougie is different from saditty. I think the original poster's point is most closely related to that word. Saditty is pretentiousness, bougie is misused and a thin veil for jelousy.

Thanks prodigalfan for seeing the context of my post for what it was.