上流階級
解説 Definition
ヨーロッパの貴族や上流階級を指す用語。アルマナック・ド・ゴータ（Almanach de Gotha）という欧州貴族年鑑に由来し、社会的に最も高い地位にある人々を示す。
The highest-ranking aristocratic or socially distinguished circles of Europe, viewed collectively. The term alludes to the Almanach de Gotha, a reference work that recorded European royal and noble families, and therefore emphasizes lineage, rank, and established status.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
gothaは都市Gothaそのものではなく、欧州王侯貴族を掲載したAlmanach de Gothaから転じた「貴族社会・最高上流層」。the Gothaやthe Gotha of European societyのように集合的に用いる。単なるrich peopleより、家柄と格式を強く含む語である。
Associate gotha with the Almanach de Gotha, the famous directory of European royal and noble families. Because appearing in that reference work signaled established lineage and rank, Gotha developed into a label for the aristocratic summit of society. Imagine a formal ball attended by the Gotha: not merely wealthy guests, but people recognized for inherited titles, family standing, and social prestige. Expressions such as the Gotha of Europe or the political Gotha extend the idea to the most eminent members of a particular circle.
例文
The ball was attended by members of the Gotha.
その舞踏会には上流階級の人々が出席した。
He mingled with the Gotha at the exclusive event.
彼は高級イベントで上流階級の人々と交流した。
The Gotha of European society gathered for the conference.
ヨーロッパ社会の上流階級はその会議に集まった。
gotha の類義語・関連語
gotha の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ドイツ・テューリンゲン州の都市名。ゲルマン語の地名に由来し、ゴート族（Goth）との関連が指摘される。『ゴータ年鑑（Almanach de Gotha）』で欧州貴族の名鑑として有名になり、名門・格式の代名詞となった。
The term comes from Gotha, a city in Thuringia, Germany, where the Almanach de Gotha was published. The almanac became internationally known as a register of European ruling and noble houses. Its place name consequently acquired a transferred social meaning: the recognized aristocracy or most eminent members of a group. The German place name is old and has sometimes been associated with the Goths, though its deeper formation is not essential to the social sense.
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