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AIBU?

Being “well to do”

46 replies

iamruth · 24/03/2021 20:16

If you describe someone as being “well to do” what do you mean? Or what would you take it to mean?

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Serin · 24/03/2021 20:17

It's not a term I would use but I think it generally means posh.

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MarieDelaere · 24/03/2021 20:19

Monied, I suppose. 'Well heeled'.

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billybagpuss · 24/03/2021 20:20

‘Well to do’ usually means well off financially.

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LifesNotEnidBlyton · 24/03/2021 20:21

Posh and likes to think they're a cut above everyone else. Like a lady who makes jams for the WI out of apples from her tree the gardener has pruned and looks down on the ladies who have just baked a vicky sponge.... WinkWink

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iamruth · 24/03/2021 20:22

@LifesNotEnidBlyton

Posh and likes to think they're a cut above everyone else. Like a lady who makes jams for the WI out of apples from her tree the gardener has pruned and looks down on the ladies who have just baked a vicky sponge.... WinkWink

Grin this made me laugh!
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Cam2020 · 24/03/2021 20:22

Posh and likes to think they're a cut above everyone else. Like a lady who makes jams for the WI out of apples from her tree the gardener has pruned and looks down on the ladies who have just baked a vicky sponge.... winkwink.

Haha perfect.

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ThePricklySheep · 24/03/2021 20:22

Just well off.

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LemonRoses · 24/03/2021 20:24

Comfortably financed.

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Reinventinganna · 24/03/2021 20:24

Prosperous.

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Minikievs · 24/03/2021 20:25

@LifesNotEnidBlyton

Posh and likes to think they're a cut above everyone else. Like a lady who makes jams for the WI out of apples from her tree the gardener has pruned and looks down on the ladies who have just baked a vicky sponge.... WinkWink

I was going to say monied, but actually this has it bang on!
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VanillaAndOrange · 24/03/2021 20:27

I think of it as meaning financially well off more than having a posh lifestyle/personality/attitude.

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Chickydoo · 24/03/2021 20:33

Well-to-do = Hyacinth Bucket 😂

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JamieFrasersBigSwingingKilt · 24/03/2021 20:37

It also infers old money and connections - but not loaded.

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IncorrigibleTitmouse · 24/03/2021 20:51

I’d think comfortably off financially, but more than that well-versed in social niceties, cultured and educated.

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sleepylittlebunnies · 24/03/2021 20:51

I don’t think it’s about having money, maybe old money, more about the way people are or behave. I used to work in a shop years ago used by a lot of landed gentry types. They weren’t obviously well off in a flashy sense but had a way about them. They had well worn good quality clothes, quietly confident, very well spoken and well mannered. I always felt very comfortable serving them and they always treated me well.

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MrsToadlike · 24/03/2021 20:53

I think of it as old-money too...which might not mean that they have much money now, but their parents/ancestors did at some point.

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babbaloushka · 24/03/2021 20:57

Affluent.

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cryh · 24/03/2021 20:57

Well off financially but not full blown rich.

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SteelMack · 24/03/2021 20:58

@LifesNotEnidBlyton

Posh and likes to think they're a cut above everyone else. Like a lady who makes jams for the WI out of apples from her tree the gardener has pruned and looks down on the ladies who have just baked a vicky sponge.... WinkWink

Totally this! Couldn't have put it better myself! Smile
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babbaloushka · 24/03/2021 20:58

Agree, not necessarily obscenely rich but big on etiquette and nobility, well connected.

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MessAllOver · 24/03/2021 20:59

I would think of it as meaning comfortably rich but not mega-rich. So a large house, some nice cars and maybe a holiday home, but not private jet and yacht territory Grin.

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Mrsjayy · 24/03/2021 21:01

I remember my Aunt and Uncle thought they "were well to do " they bought their council house in the 80s and shopped in marks and Spencers oh and ate Alpen 😂

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AgeLikeWine · 24/03/2021 21:05

It’s a polite, somewhat old-fashioned euphemism for rich, but in a genteel, non-ostentatious way. Not a term I would use.

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iamruth · 24/03/2021 21:15

@Mrsjayy

I remember my Aunt and Uncle thought they "were well to do " they bought their council house in the 80s and shopped in marks and Spencers oh and ate Alpen 😂

Love this too!

Interesting that overall the phase seems to be more inclined towards negative connotations...
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partyatthepalace · 24/03/2021 21:17

It’s an old fashioned term for someone who is fairly well off and fairly posh.

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