white-shoe

[ hwahyt-shoo, wahyt ]

adjective

1. of or relating to members of the upper class who own or run large corporations:

   white-shoe bankers; a conservative white-shoe image.

Word History and Origins

Origin of white-shoe¹

First recorded in 1975–80; apparently from the white shoes popular as moderately formal wear among suburban men c1980

Example Sentences

Dutifully, she went to work for a white-shoe law firm, then became deputy general counsel for a Wall Street investment firm.

From The Daily Beast

The white-shoe firm is cutting back on bankers and traders, and doubling down on the old-fashioned brokerage business.

From The Daily Beast

Logline: A young New-Jersey-born lawyer competes with her wealthier colleagues at a white-shoe Manhattan law firm.

From The Daily Beast

Before he retired recently from the white shoe law firm Milbank Tweed, Blattmachr counted many rich folks among his clients.

From The Daily Beast

And what about people who live in the South, the hub of the white-shoe rule, where there is warm weather year round?

From The Daily Beast

Change in last scene to tight-fitting black suit, ruffled collar and cravat, white shoe guards, black square-crowned hat.

From Project Gutenberg

A shadow fell across the path; across the bride's white shoe.

From Project Gutenberg

From beneath her skirt the toe of a small white shoe tapped the deck angrily.

From Project Gutenberg

He kicked one foot out, and disgustedly contemplated a burst white shoe, while the duck trousers cracked.

From Project Gutenberg

From the tip of her white shoe to the tip of her hat she was the futile and exquisite essence of Gotham.

From Project Gutenberg