radical chic

[rad-i-kuhl sheek]

noun

1. the patronage of extremists or left-wing radicals by rich or famous people, as through invitations to social functions or public expressions of support.

Other Word Forms

• radical-chic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radical chic¹

Coined in 1970 by Tom Wolfe (1931–2018), American journalist, in an essay “Radical Chic: That Party at Lenny's”