penthouse liberal

English translation: rich liberal

16:33 Apr 9, 2005

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

English term or phrase: penthouse liberal

"She had first opposed Clare Boothe Luce for the GOP nomination to Congress in 1942 because, she said, she didn't want a 'penthouse liberal' carrying the party's banner".
What kind of a liberal is a 'penthouse liberal'? Conceited? Rich? Arty? All of these? Neither?
I understand it refers to a person who can afford living in a New York penthouse - but what does it imply?
Thanks for your help.

Barbara Gadomska KudoZ activity Questions: 80 (none open) (2 closed without grading) Answers: 399
Local time: 09:28

Selected answer:rich liberal

Explanation:
The implication is that a rich person could see liberal issues in sentimental or trivial terms, having never really had to relate to or experience the problems of the common folk or working class.

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Note added at 23 mins (2005-04-09 16:56:58 GMT)
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(despective term coined by penthouse Republicans)

Selected response from:

Refugio
Local time: 00:28

Grading comment

Thank you, Rita. Your explanation suits my context beautifully
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +12

rich liberal

Refugio

wypasiony libera³ :)

Mariusz Walkowiak

Answers

3 mins confidence:

wypasiony libera³ :)

Explanation:
wypasiony libera³ :)

Mariusz Walkowiak
Local time: 09:28
Native speaker of:

Polish

15 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +12

rich liberal

Refugio
Local time: 00:28
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thank you, Rita. Your explanation suits my context beautifully

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

agree

NGK

12 mins

-> Thanks, Norbert

agree

giogi

56 mins

-> Thanks, Giovanna

agree

Can Altinbay

1 hr

-> Thanks, Can

agree

sarahl (X)

1 hr

-> Thanks, Sarah

agree

Ian Burley (X)

2 hrs

-> Thanks, Ian

agree

Kevin Kelly: Regarding your parenthetical comment: Are there any other kind? :-)

2 hrs

-> Thanks, Kevin ;~}

agree

Lietta Warren-Granato: also called °champagne socialist°

3 hrs

-> Are you suggesting that a "liberal" is equivalent to a "socialist"??

agree

Robert Donahue (X)

3 hrs

-> Thanks, Rob

agree

Charlie Bavington: I think Lietta is possibly talking in terms of similar political equivalents, i.e. a rich supporter of the more left wing party in a 2-party system. We all know you don't allow socialism in the US of A, so don't get palpitations when you see the word :-)

6 hrs

-> It was just a question, Charlie, so don't you get palpitations either...to me, liberal is more about social justice than left-wing economics.

agree

Alp Berker

7 hrs

-> Thanks, Alp

agree

humbird

10 hrs

-> Thanks, humbird

agree

Charlesp: sort of mentioned as negative commentary

21 hrs

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penthouse liberal

English translation: rich liberal

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