Eurotrash (term)

Eurotrash is a derogatory term used in North America for Europeans, particularly those perceived to be arrogant, affluent, and expatriates in the United States.[1]

Among the earliest printed uses of the term was in the early 1980s, when Taki Theodoracopulos, a wealthy Greek living in New York, wrote the "Eurotrash" column in The East Side Express.[2] In a similar bent, in writing a 1983 article for Rolling Stone, Anthony Haden-Guest described "those decadent European rich so numerous in Manhattan nowadays — 'International White Trash', as the uncharitable put it..."[3] The term was also used in 1988's Die Hard where the character Harry Ellis (Hart Bochner) advises John McClane (Bruce Willis) that he "negotiates million dollar deals for breakfast" and can "handle this Eurotrash," derisively referring to Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his group of terrorists. In an episode of "Seinfeld," Jerry humorously calls Christopher Columbus "Eurotrash."

See also

References

  1. ^ "eurotrash". Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 17 November 2008. 
  2. ^ Julia Chaplin (2002-12-08). "A New Eurofestation". The New York Times. 
  3. ^ "Articles: Rolling Stone". anthonyhadenguest.com. 1983-07-07. http://anthonyhadenguest.com/articles.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-19.