- Meaning
- This idiom describes someone born into wealth, privilege, or luxury, as if fed with a silver spoon, a symbol of affluence. It conveys unearned advantage, often used in social, economic, or personal contexts to highlight inherited status. The phrase carries a tone of envy, critique, or observation, reflecting cultural values of merit and the human tendency to resent unearned benefits. Its imagery of a silver spoon evokes opulence, resonating in scenarios like elite backgrounds or nepotism. The idiom underscores privilege, making it a pointed metaphor for inherited wealth.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 17th-century England, tied to silver spoons as christening gifts for wealthy infants, as noted in parish records. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The London Gazette* (1690s), describing aristocratic heirs. The idiom gained traction in 19th-century literature, notably in Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853), for privileged characters. Its spread was amplified by social commentary, with *The New York Times* using it for Gilded Age elites. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures stems from its vivid imagery and relevance to class dynamics.
- Variants
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- Silver spoon in your mouth
- Born with a silver spoon
- Silver-spooned
- Examples
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- Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he never worked a day.
- Silver spoon in her mouth, she attended elite schools effortlessly.
- Born with a silver spoon, they inherited the family estate.
- Silver-spooned, he breezed into the job through connections.
- Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you don’t know struggle.
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