Talk:elitist

In the US, elitist, like "terrorist", is gradually having all meaning eroded as politicians like John McCain (very elitist) hurl it at politicians like Barack Obama (who is so not-elitist, he and his wife only recently finished paying off college loans). The current definition we have (noun sense) is almost meaningless itself: how can a group rule and not be elite? The mere act of ruling gives a ruler a superior social status, making him elite by our definition of elite, so logically our current definition of elitist is tautological Language Lover 18:21, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

elite vs. elitist -- the battle may be lost

Nine times out of ten, the word "elitist" is used in place of "elite" which in turn seems to mean no more than "rich." The previous comment demonstrates that the meaning of "elitist" may have already oozed out of control into that of "elite," since Barack Obama is said to be a "non-elitist" by virtua of only recently having paid off his university loans. "Elitist" is defined here, in the very entry upon which the comment is made, as one who subscribes to rule by an elite. Paying off one's loans recently may signify that one is not WEALTHY. If we interpret "elite" to be synonymous with "wealthy," which is already a reach, then the matter of his college loans may show Barack Obama not to be elite, but surely it doesn't instruct us about whether he is an elitist. Shall we throw in the towel?