Did someone just call you a ‘Sloane ranger?’ What do they mean? Are they saying you’re a fan of the Lone Ranger or something? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘Sloane ranger’ refers to ‘Sloanies’ or ‘Sloanes.’ They are upper-class women residing in the west end of London. Sloane rangers come from wealthy families or marriages and have expensive taste.
Lady Diana Spencer was the archetypal Sloane ranger. Most people refer to a ‘Sloane ranger’ as a woman with little intelligence and more focused on being a socialite. While ‘Sloanes’ typically refer to women in their twenties and thirties, it can also refer to upper-class men.
Example Usage
“Look at that girl over there. What a Sloane ranger. She’s got the LV bag, Gucci sunglasses, and Prada on her feet. You know that girl has expensive taste.”
“My wife’s a bit of a Sloane ranger. Her credit card bill proves that she enjoys the finer things in life. I’ve got to convince her to stop spending money like this.”
“Kim and Tom are so rich they don’t know what to do with their money. Kim is a proper Sloane ranger, and you’ll only see her wearing designer fashion.”
Origin
The expression 'Sloane ranger' originates from the 1970s. The 'Sloane' in the phrase refers to 'Sloane Square,' on the border of the Chelsea and Belgravia districts in west London. The expression is a mockery of the term 'Lone Ranger,' which was a TV show running from 1949 to 1957.
Some people suggest it may also refer to a 'Range Rover' vehicle, a favorite vehicle of the upper class in London. There is no evidence showing who is responsible for coining the term. However, many experts attribute its creation to Peter York, the former editor of 'Harpers & Queen' magazine and co-author of 'The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook' published by Harpers & Queen's.
The first mention f the term appears in October 1975 in Harpers & Queen magazine as follows.
"The Sloane Rangers ... are the nicest British Girl."
"The Sloane Rangers always add tone. They never put on prole accents, like self-conscious Oxford boys in the sixties."
Phrases Similar to Sloane Ranger
- High society.
- The elite.
Phrases Opposite to Sloane Ranger
- Poor woman.
- Living in poverty.
- Middle classmen.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Sloane ranger.
Ways People May Say Sloane Ranger Incorrectly
Some people may confuse 'Sloane ranger' with 'Lone ranger,' the name of a TV series. The two have nothing to do with each other, and a 'Sloane ranger' is not a ranger and has no inclination to ride horses or enforce the law.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Sloane Ranger
You can use the phrase 'Sloane ranger' to describe a woman with an expensive taste that lives in an upper-class area. The term originally referred to rich, entitled women living in the west end of London in the United Kingdom.
However, the spread of the phrase means that it's applicable for describing an upper-class woman displaying her wealth in public, in any country around the globe. They wear designer clothing, carry luxury handbags from brands like Gucci and LV, and have expensive tastes.
You can use the phrase when pointing out a Sloane ranger to your friends while you're out on the town. The term usually applies to women in their twenties and thirties, but you can use it to describe any woman displaying upper-calls behavior.