Ritzy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Pop Culture

• Famed actress Marlene Dietrich was known for her ritzy style in the 1930s, influencing fashion with glamorous outfits.
• Ritzy settings often appear in films from the Hollywood Golden Age, portraying characters in high society, showcasing a life of luxury.
• The word is frequently used in music and lyrics, often to describe wealth or elegant lifestyles, as seen in various jazz and pop songs.

Psychology

• People often associate ritzy environments with feelings of status, success, and comfort, reflecting societal values around wealth.
• The desire for ritzy experiences can sometimes lead to competition and comparison among individuals, impacting self-esteem.
• Studies show that exposure to ritzy advertisements can increase aspirational spending, leading consumers to desire luxury goods.

Fashion

• Ritzy fashion trends are characterized by intricate designs, luxurious fabrics, and attention to detail, often setting seasonal trends.
• During fashion week, ritzy collections often showcase haute couture, pushing the boundaries of traditional clothing into the realm of art.
• Iconic fashion houses like Chanel and Dior often embody the essence of 'ritzy' with their elaborate runway shows and high-quality materials.

Literature

• Literary works often depict ritzy settings, helping to establish themes of privilege, power, and the complexities of high society.
• F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 'The Great Gatsby' famously explores the lives of the ritzy elite during the Roaring Twenties, highlighting their extravagance.
• Ritzy characters are often used in literature to critique social inequalities, showcasing the contrast between wealth and poverty.

Main points about word origin

• The term 'ritzy' originated in the 1920s and is derived from the name of the luxurious Ritz hotel chain founded by César Ritz.
• Originally, the word referred specifically to the opulence associated with the Ritz hotels, before becoming a general term for anything stylish or extravagant.
• The adjective 'ritzy' is often used in American English, showing a cultural appreciation for luxury and status.

The term 'ritzy' originated in the early 20th century, derived from the name of the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris, which was opened by Swiss hotelier César Ritz. The hotel quickly became synonymous with luxury and high society. The word 'ritzy' began to be used in English around the 1920s to describe anything associated with the opulence and elegance of the Ritz Hotel. Initially, it was used primarily in American English to describe flashy fashion or grand settings, but it soon spread to describe various aspects of life that exude wealth or extravagance. The continued existence of the term showcases the lingering influence of luxury hotels in popular culture.

Ranking #38,233, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 38230 munificently
• 38231 grandiloquence
• 38232 springbok
• 38233 ritzy
• 38234 theatric
• 38235 pinking
• 38236 scrunch
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