Meaning
Descent from an aristocratic or noble family, or membership of the hereditary upper class generally. In modern use the phrase is often faintly ironic or critical, highlighting inherited privilege rather than praising it, and it survives in the adjective 'blue-blooded'. Often tinged with irony or scepticism about inherited privilege rather than deference. Regional use: General English.
Origin
A direct translation of Spanish sangre azul, which both The Phrase Finder and Etymonline associate with the old Castilian families who claimed never to have intermarried with Moors or Jews. Etymonline says the likely physical basis is that veins show bluer through the fair skin of light-complexioned people, dates the English phrase to 1809 for the blood of old Spanish aristocratic families, notes it was applied to English aristocratic families by 1827, and records the shortened noun for an aristocrat from 1877. The Phrase Finder cites Maria Edgeworth's 1834 novel Helen - 'from Spain, of high rank and birth, of the sangre azul, the blue blood' - as an early printed English use, and adds the modern observation that visible blue veins are now more often a medical matter than a mark of rank.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- blue bloods
- blue-blooded
- have blue blood
- of blue blood
Usage Examples
- The charity's patron may have blue blood, but the gala budget is scrutinized like anyone else's.
- Organizers hoped the anniversary gala would draw donors with blue blood and deep pockets.
- She can claim enough blue blood to fill a family tree, yet she spends her Saturdays canvassing for the transit levy.