toff

The term "toff" is a classic piece of British slang. It describes someone from a wealthy, posh, or upper-class background, especially a person who seems born into comfort and status. It is not always meant as a compliment. Often, it suggests that the person is snobbish, proud, or out of touch with ordinary life. You might describe a character in a period drama as a "toff" if they move through high society with money, confidence, and the feeling that privilege has always been normal for them.

"Toff" is an informal British term for someone seen as wealthy, privileged, and part of the upper social classes. It usually points not just to money, but to a whole social image: expensive education, polished manners, confidence, and the sense of having grown up near power or status. The word is strongly tied to British ideas about class.

The tone is often critical or teasing. Calling someone a "toff" can suggest that they are snobbish, entitled, pampered, or disconnected from ordinary people and everyday problems. It is commonly used for people linked with inherited wealth, elite private schools, aristocratic families, or a very polished upper-class style of speaking and behaving.

The term remains common in British class commentary, journalism, and conversation. Someone might be described as "a bit of a toff" to highlight obvious privilege, but the word can also be used lightly or humorously rather than as a harsh insult. In the end, "toff" means more than simply "rich person." It suggests a particular mix of class, background, style, and attitude that people associate with the traditional British upper class.