petty bourgeoisie

American  

noun

1. petite bourgeoisie.

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Etymology

Origin of petty bourgeoisie

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Painting Laszlo as some mascot for the self-involved petty bourgeoisie would be easy to do if Berry’s performance didn’t smash all expectations.

From Salon

As Hugo Young puts it in his book “One of Us,” the young Thatcher “belonged to the rising petty bourgeoisie, not the beleaguered working class.”

From New York Times

Modest, who is lured by the discreet charm of the petty bourgeoisie, exults — “We’ll make lots and lots of money” — before being swatted down.

From New York Times

And on the consumer level, the state’s low taxes drew Europe’s tax-averse petty bourgeoisie.

From The Guardian

The petty bourgeoisie, great in boasting, is very impotent for action, and very shy in risking anything.

From Project Gutenberg