upper crust

See also: upper-crust

English

Etymology

First known use as an idiom: 1836.

Pronunciation

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• Rhymes: -ʌst

Noun

upper crust (plural upper crusts)

1. (idiomatic, usually with the) The social elite, the highest social class.

   Synonyms: upper class, the quality

   • 1894, Mark Twain, “A Little Note to M. Paul Bourget”, in Essays on Paul Bourget:

     I judged from your remark about the diligence and industry of the high Parisian upper crust that it would have some point.

   • 2006 June 18, J. F. O. McAllister, “A New Kind of Elite”, in Time:

     Some accents reveal the distinctive bray of the upper crust, but most are generic middle class.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see upper,‎ crust. The topmost layer of a bread, pastry dish, or other item with a hardened coating.
   • 1871, Louisa M[ay] Alcott, “chapter 20”, in Little Men: […], Boston, Mass.: Roberts Brothers, →OCLC:

     She went to get her tarts . . . but some one had stolen all the fruit out of them by lifting up the upper crust.

Derived terms

• upper-crust

Adjective

upper crust (comparative more upper crust, superlative most upper crust)

1. Alternative form of upper-crust