A champagne socialist is someone who talks about and identifies themselves as being someone on the left wing, for example a socialist or communist, but lives a life of indulgence in extremely trivial and material things.
"Dave told me he's a socialist the other day"
"ha, yeah, a champagne socialist more like. Have you seen his new iphone?"
"ha, yeah, a champagne socialist more like. Have you seen his new iphone?"
by Jaqen H'gar January 11, 2015
AOC partying with the elite at the met gala is the perfect example of what a champagne socialist she is.
by tired pleb September 17, 2021
A champagne socialist is someone who talks about and identifies themselves as being someone on the left wing, for example a socialist or communist, but lives a life of indulgence in extremely trivial and material things.
AOC partying with the elite at the met gala is the perfect example of what a champagne socialist she is.
by Grgrman May 1, 2022
Try this trick to dismiss your opponent's arguments without listening to them. Especially effective against people who can afford a better phone than you or those who sometimes indulge in luxuries. This ad hominem attack is sure to nullify even the most well thought-out argument for wealth distribution.
Say the person you're talking to is arguing for more economic equality but they haven't given all their money away? Champagne socialist.
What if they're explaining the purpose of unions but you're getting a bit bored of performing mental gymnastics? Champagne socialist.
Now if they're trying to tell you that there are reasons some people can't work that aren't laziness? Champagne socialist.
Try it today, and if they call you out on it, try calling them a closed-minded virtue signalling hypocrite. Then when they get tired of talking to you because you're beyond help, you are free to proclaim victory and can continue to feel smug about supporting the broken system you were indoctrinated to believe in.
Say the person you're talking to is arguing for more economic equality but they haven't given all their money away? Champagne socialist.
What if they're explaining the purpose of unions but you're getting a bit bored of performing mental gymnastics? Champagne socialist.
Now if they're trying to tell you that there are reasons some people can't work that aren't laziness? Champagne socialist.
Try it today, and if they call you out on it, try calling them a closed-minded virtue signalling hypocrite. Then when they get tired of talking to you because you're beyond help, you are free to proclaim victory and can continue to feel smug about supporting the broken system you were indoctrinated to believe in.
So, you want unemployed people not to die from easily treatable health problems, but you won't even sell your house and live as a hermit in the woods to make it happen; could you even be more of a champagne socialist?
by FantasticHairline99 April 25, 2018
Namely, any person, be it a celebrity, musician, writer or politician (commonly), who nominally espouse the virtues of Socialism and champion the hardships of living a down-to-earth existence among the disenfranchised and down-trodden of society, yet, actually holiday half of the year on plush islands, accept honours from the Queen and rub shoulders with the affluent over horderves.
These people are generally bleeding-heart Liberals on the outside, relishing the reflective glory of the appearance of being sympathetic to the plight of the working man, yet, when they are confronted with genuine poverty and urban degradation, choose to live far away in the country where the smell can't get to them.
The syndrome can be explained in the maxim, “If you're not a socialist at the age of 20 you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at the age of 40, you have no brain.", only that a true Champagne Socialist is a person who fails to admit their obvious contradiction in the hopes no-one will notice they went to Eaton or have reneged on all their radical convictions by becoming a rich git (who won't share their money) by adhering to Capitalist/Conservative principles.
These people are commonly found in the Arts.
These people are generally bleeding-heart Liberals on the outside, relishing the reflective glory of the appearance of being sympathetic to the plight of the working man, yet, when they are confronted with genuine poverty and urban degradation, choose to live far away in the country where the smell can't get to them.
The syndrome can be explained in the maxim, “If you're not a socialist at the age of 20 you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at the age of 40, you have no brain.", only that a true Champagne Socialist is a person who fails to admit their obvious contradiction in the hopes no-one will notice they went to Eaton or have reneged on all their radical convictions by becoming a rich git (who won't share their money) by adhering to Capitalist/Conservative principles.
These people are commonly found in the Arts.
Person A: Did you hear, that Russell Brand wants to start a Socialist Revolution and dismantle the status quo?
Person B: The twat lives in an expensive penthouse apartment in London and is worth millions.
Person A: Yeah, but that doesn't....
Person B: If he really wanted to tax the rich and redistribute wealth he'd start with himself. But, has he fuck?
Person A: I think you are being a little un...
Person B: Nope. He's a Champagne Socialist, Malcolm. He doesn't believe any of that claptrap. He just wants to appear like he does.
Person B: The twat lives in an expensive penthouse apartment in London and is worth millions.
Person A: Yeah, but that doesn't....
Person B: If he really wanted to tax the rich and redistribute wealth he'd start with himself. But, has he fuck?
Person A: I think you are being a little un...
Person B: Nope. He's a Champagne Socialist, Malcolm. He doesn't believe any of that claptrap. He just wants to appear like he does.
by Jimmy Dreams April 5, 2016
Billy Bragg, a folk-punk performer. Best known in England for espousing the virtues of being a working class man and then moving the fuck out of his blue collar 'hood in Essex asap. Certainly a fine musician, widely acclaimed for killer albums such as Back to Basics and his respectable tributes to Joe Strummer (of the only band that matters, the ClashTM), he is fond of "pontificating on a South London council estate when we all know he lives in a lovely big house in West Dorset".
GI Dave: OMG Billy Bragg! Dude, I'm your biggest fan!
SJ: OMG PLUS ME TOO!
GI Dave: You should come play at our school's music festival Culture Shock in April!
Billy Bragg: I would love to but unfortunately April is the month that I arbitrarily fire half of my waiting/serving staff at home and hire new servants that I can pay less. If Joe Strummer were alive I would recommend you to him because he squatted almost his whole life and definitely never lived in Dorset. However, he's dead so you'll probably have to go watch some totally unremarkable over-hyped hipster headliner for Culture Shock.
GI Dave: man, CL was totally right, you really are such a champagne socialist.
SJ: OMG PLUS ME TOO!
GI Dave: You should come play at our school's music festival Culture Shock in April!
Billy Bragg: I would love to but unfortunately April is the month that I arbitrarily fire half of my waiting/serving staff at home and hire new servants that I can pay less. If Joe Strummer were alive I would recommend you to him because he squatted almost his whole life and definitely never lived in Dorset. However, he's dead so you'll probably have to go watch some totally unremarkable over-hyped hipster headliner for Culture Shock.
GI Dave: man, CL was totally right, you really are such a champagne socialist.
by ChristaLea November 24, 2007
Anybody, though more often, public figures, who are both wealthy, and support socialism. 'Champagne Socialist' is a word used to discredit any left-leaning argument, valid or not, that a person with wealth puts forth.
"When I was poor and I complained about inequality people said I was bitter. Now I'm rich and I complain about inequality they say I'm a hypocrite, a champagne socialist. I'm beginning to think they just don't want inequality on the agenda because it is a real problem that needs to be addressed."
by bertsly May 25, 2017