I keep coming across the word tony, an adjective meaning, fashionable among wealthy or stylish people.
The Carlyle is a tony hotel. We went to a party with a very tony guest list. Alva and William K. Vanderbilt were the toniest of couples.
In a book I’ve recently read by the late Vanity Fair writer, Dominick Dunne, he used it a lot to describe the upper-crust of society….chic, showy, plush and posh. Lavish, luxurious, ritzy and grand. Swank, snazzy, opulent and elite…the creme de la creme brandishing their wealth minus modesty nor meekness.
I’ve often wondered what it’s like to live in that entitled world where money is no object and life provides the best of everything without ever missing a beat. I do know people like that sincerely fascinated by their lifestyle.
Multiple homes, travel to the fullest. I even know a couple with a yacht right out of an F.Scott Fitzgerald novel. Jay Gatsby, is that you at the helm in your Tommy Hilfiger windbreaker while Daisy Buchanan sunbathes on deck?
The one thing about not being so tony is, your appreciation is much higher given the lack of chronic opulence bestowed upon your life. There’s something to be said for that. Where’s the high when you already have everything 100 times over? Hubris verses humility. Expectancy rather than surprise.
It’s also interesting how unhappy many of the Tonys are, as though they’ve peaked depleting the best life has to offer.
Less is more rewarding it seems in the long run.
To be exclusive and deluxe, upmarket and of the manner born, in your own little sphere surrounded by clones might just end up a little disappointing…
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But, wouldn’t you like to know, what it was truly like to be just a little tony, for one long weekend, in Paris perhaps?
SB
I really enjoyed reading this; loved the literary allusions. I look forward to reading more of your work!
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I love words. I try to dissect one every one in a while…I find it really becomes yours when you do that. Thanks.
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This piece sums up what I think of “fancy”: https://micklively.wordpress.com/
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Such a Mick response if I’ve ever heard one. 🙂
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Sorry. I’m feeling a little bruised. Too many years under Tory rule!
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I see. One could say, Tories reside here, at least on the Upper East Side of New York with its financial overflow. Madison Avenue, I lived on for 38 years, is one long labyrinth of over-priced stores only the very Tony, if you will, can shop in. I remember when the Ave was all mom and pop establishments…sigh
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It is a house built on sand. Interminable growth is not sustainable. Sooner or later, it will come crashing down. It will not matter how many wars they organise, it must implode. Problem is, they will probably take us with them, as they disappear down the drain.
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Whoa Mick!!! That’s quite a dire prediction.
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Sure is, but I can’t see another way it can go. The “system” is more powerful than any of the players. They’re like hamsters in wheels: they can’t get off, only run themselves to exhaustion.
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As long as you don’t run yourself into exhaustion. 🙂
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I never heard the word “tony” being used with this meaning. All I can say is if there were a name to represent the way the other 99% lives it would probably be Bill (because we have bills).
I agree with you that tony in moderation never hurt.
Loved this English lesson.
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It’s funny how a word you’ve never heard before keeps cropping up. Love how Bill would represent how the other half lives. Funny…clever.
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Susannah, I do know two such couples. But both began life humbly, one couple coming from Finland with the wife working as a housekeeper. Each couple now makes millions (with an s) each year. Although they have multiple homes, travel extensively, I would never describe them as tony. Nor do they take it for-granted. Maybe that’s the key to living the high-life with appreciation and enjoyment, start life humbly.
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That certainly makes sense Skinny. Humbly they sail. The New York tony crowd however, whether they worked for it or not, tend not to be too humble…sigh
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I live next to a TONY neighborhood. Yesterday in the mail I received an “invitation” to the local country club (probably because the think I live IN the tony neighborhood). More of an advertisement because it clearly stated along with all the value associated with belonging, that you needed to be sponsored by a member. I almost choked on the monthly stipend. You could feed the critters in a shelter with that money! Guess I’m too practical but I did fantasize about Gatsby while I was reading it.
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Well, we can always get toy sailboats to sail in your pond. 🙂
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That’s a thought. One with colorful sails. Just yesterday I was looking at fake alligators you float in ponds to scare off fish predators. (No, I wouldn’t. Its a lot like pink plastic flamingoes).
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I don’t know. I love your pond, and a few scaled decoys might be festive. The frogs might like them 🙂
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I’ve learned a new word today. Now if I can figure out how to use it in conversation this week I’ll feel I’ve mastered the word! I really doubt it will come up in any of my conversations. 😦 ~Elle
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You never know.
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I wonder if I had a weekend of being tony if it would be hard to be plain old me again. Although, I am a happy plain old me so maybe not.
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Being Tony must have its drawbacks. All that responsibility to be grand…what a load.
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Great word, I’ve never heard it before. Sounds like it should be used in a book, a la Oscar Wilde: The Problem With Being Tony. I agree with your point too: if you have everything all the time, there’s no perspective and no appreciation of things.
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I had never heard it either but it kept popping up, like a dandelion. I finally looked it up dazzled by it, hitting itself right out of the park with its,one-two punch. How I love words…as I know you do.
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Oh to be a Tony… for a little bit anyway, that wouldn’t hurt. Paris is always a good idea.
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Isn’t that a funny, wonderful word? Can’t believe I had never heard it before.
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It is. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of it either.
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It’s a great word, and I would like to experience it once, even for a couple of hours… not much longer, I might get used to it…
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It’s a great word and I don’t blame you. Me too.
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maybe it would work where we could be ‘tony’ together and have a wonderful time!! Imagine the trouble we could get into. 😉
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Tony…so funny to me, yet fascinating it means what it means. 🙂
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