chattering classes

The term Chattering Classes is an essentially British expression, seldom heard outside the UK. It was invented by British journalist Oberon Waugh (he really couldn’t stand them) but was later taken up by pundits and political commentators to describe a group of the “metropolitan middle class”. Generally though it’s used as a derogatory tag for those who are politically active, socially concerned and ‘highly’ educated; especially those with political, media or academic connections. Its original meaning has now changed somewhat and now it usually refers to WOFS, Londoncentric pseudo-celebrities who talk a lot about social injustice, disaster relief, third world aid and all the other fashionable causes but do absolutely fuck all to help.