An opprobrious name for persons who have made money in trade.
1850. We should regard it as somewhat strange if we should require a codfish aristocracy to keep us in order.—Mr. Butler of South Carolina, U.S. Senate, July 9: Cong. Globe, p. 1248, Appendix.
1852. When Foote spoke, [the Russian minister] looked on with that expression of contempt … with which one of our codfish aristocracy would regard a Democratic harangue from Mike Walsh.—N.Y. Herald, quoted in the Cong. Globe, Dec. 15: p. 102, App.
1853. This was a “cooler” to silk and satin greatness; or, as the boys call it, codfish aristocracy.—Daily Morning Herald, St. Louis, April 13.
1853. D. is evidently a retainer of the “codfish aristocracy,” who will only go where the price will match with his dignity.—Id., April 22.
1860. The defender of genius against vulgar money bags, alias codfish aristocracy.—Richmond Enquirer, May 15, p. 1/8.
1862. The poor privilege of fawning about the skirts of a played-out codfish aristocracy.—Oregon Argus, Feb. 15.
1865. A few of the codfish, shoddy, and petroleum aristocracy.—Daily Telegraph, Dec. 4. (N.E.D.)
