Are you looking for a word to describe an upwardly mobile African American? You could call them a 'boujee' to describe how they flex their opulent lifestyle on Instagram.
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'boujee' comes from African-American street slang and hip-hop culture. If someone acts 'boujee,' they 'flex' their luxurious lifestyle. It's common to see 'boujees' flexing their wealth and lavish lifestyle on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Boujee is another variation of the word 'bourgeoisie,' referring to society's rich and upper-class people. Over the years, it changed to 'bougie,' with hip-hop artists spelling it 'boujee.' It's a jab at hipsters and the suburban or coastal elite. The "boujee" version commonly refers to upwardly mobile or middle-class black people in the United States.
The Urban Dictionary defines 'boujee' as "Aspiring to be a higher class than one is. Derived from bourgeois - meaning middle/upper class, traditionally despised by communists."
Example Usage
“Look at that chick over there, what a boujee. She’s dressed head to toe in designer labels and flexing an LV handbag. ”
“This place is too boujee for me. It’s like I feel you have to be wearing a suit to fit into this party. It’s not my scene.”
“This car is so boujee. It’s got leather massaging seats and a massive sunroof. I bet it costs a fortune, but you deserve it.”
“This area of town is so boujee. I like all the cafes on the streets and the rows of designer label stores on the high street.”
Origin
The expression 'boojee' originates from African-American street slang and hip-hop culture. It's a variation of another term, 'bougie,' referring to 'Bourgeoise,' which refers to the upper class or rich people in society.
However, 'boojee' refers to an African-American man or woman (usually a woman) displaying 'bougie' behavior. These individuals show off their designer clothes, jewelry, and wealth on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
The rapper, Migos, coined the term 'Boujee' in his track 'Bad and Boujee,' referring to African-American entrepreneurs or high society with "swag." The first mention of the word appeared in the Urban dictionary in December 2004.
Phrases Similar to Boujee
- Bougie.
- Boojie.
Phrases Opposite to Boujee
- Working class.
- Blue collar.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Boujee.
Ways People May Say Boujee Incorrectly
Some people may spell the phase as “boojie” or “bougie.” While these spellings are not technically incorrect, it isn’t the original spelling of the word in this sense. Some language experts believe the phrase ‘boujee’ originates from hip-hop culture and is only suitable for describing upwardly mobile African Americans.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Boujee
You can use the saying ‘boujee’ when you’re referring to someone that looks like they’re rich. They display ‘snobbish’ behavior and tend to enjoy the finer things in life. If you see a woman walking down 5th Avenue wearing a designer dress, talking on her phone while carrying shopping bags in her arms, this would be the quintessential definition of ‘boujee.’
It’s also common for people to refer to upwardly-mobile African American youth as ‘boujee.’ They may flex their wealth and expensive taste on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. If someone is ‘boujee,’ they tend to shy away from people of a lower class and social standing.