Usage of "classy" as an anti-signifier?

The other day I overheard a conversation two people were having about an event one had attended, in which the word ‘classy’ came up repeatedly. ‘It was a real classy place’, ‘the music was so classy’; that sort of thing. It occurred to me that “classy” as an adjective is something like a signifier in the wrong direction: it indicates that you are not, yourself, upper class, or accustomed to such. A classy person would call something elegant or well-appointed or tasteful or stylish or something like that. Using ‘classy’ makes you sound like a country cousin or Eliza Doolittle. Or it does to my ear, anyway.

I wonder if there is a term for this sort of thing - a kind of self-defeating usage that proves you aren’t what you’re describing. I’m sure that there are lots of examples of people using jargon or slang in a pained way that proves that they are poseurs, but this isn’t quite a case of someone coming to a trend too late, daddy-O. Or pardon me, I mean “too late, homes”. On the other hand, maybe it is the same thing. The example of ‘classy’, however, strikes me as particularly apt: if you say ‘classy’, you ain’t.

Could this be the opposite of a shibboleth? Or does shibboleth still work?

Countersignalling? The specific example you give would be “non-U speaking”, but countersignalling is the general idea. Although it’s one way, I think - it’s countersignalling when the upper classes do it.

This reminds me of what my mother used to say about the term “I’m sure”. What it actually means is “I’m not sure”

It seems like it would be countersignaling if a Peer of the Realm said ‘classy’, but what if Joe Sixpack says it?

As I understand it, that’s not quite right - you can tell someone is a peer because they* won’t *call something classy. It’s linked to how they would say “rich” when the déclassé would say “wealthy” etc.

Good question; I can only muddy the waters by observing that I and people I know will use the term “classy” in an ironic-becoming-earnest way such that it is no longer perjorative. I also have British friends who use the adjective “class” (but not “classy”) as a compliment.

Its anti-signifier role would be consistent with the word ‘trendy’ in versions of English where irony is in common use.

If you go to a place called ‘Trendy Haircuts’ it is almost a guarantee that you won’t get one.

Agreed, except that context and tone are a big factor. Let’s say I was discussing Helen Mirren–I might say she’s “classy” knowing that while technically it’s not really a compliment, my audience will understand that by using the term I’m signifying the opposite of what you might think–that Dame Helen is a woman of many accomplishments, impeccable taste, whose very presence in a move play or event must perforce elevate it.

It’s a little hard for me to imagine a similar way to use “trendy” though…

It’s a common thing I’ve seen women write on dating profiles in a self-deprecating sarcastic sense…“fucking classy”

Yet another illustration of why English is a hard language to become fluent in.

A woman might describe last night’s date as ‘classy’ if he took her to a fast-food joint. She could use the same description if he had taken her to a really nice restaurant. The same word, possibly said with the same expression, used to convey two exactly opposite meanings.

I have seen it described as “a one-word example of mordant irony

Counter signaling is someone signaling their importance by showing how they do not have to signal. Like a rich person wearing jeans to work. Zuckerberg’s t-shirts are an example.

I think the word classy is more of a class marker than a shibboleth.

The point is that if you say it, you must be Joe Sixpack. If the Peer and Joe went to the same party, Joe would say, “I went a classy party” and the Peer would say, “I went to a party.”

The only person I can think of who says it a lot is Trump. When he says it, whatever he’s describing is definitely not classy.

[Moderating]

I’m not sure this is really a factual question. Moving to IMHO.

I think the point is that people who actually are classy don’t think about whether something is “classy.” They’ll admire something for its actual properties – attractive, efficient, well-made, high-quality materials, etc.

I know I’ve heard English friends use the word “class” as an approving adjective–the only example I can remember though is one saying “Teddy Sheringham is a fantastic, class player.” (This was a while ago…) Is this usage in the vein of “classy,” or is it something an upper-class person would say as well? (This particular friend is solidly middle class.)

What Joe Sixpack described as “classy” the Peer would describe as “garish.” Provided, of course, that he ever said a word about it.

But to return to the OP, yes, I do think it’s a signifier of lower or lower-middle class upbringing. I suppose the word “pretentious” fits best. In the US we might also say “déclassé” or “NOKD” (Not Our Kind, Dear). My Grandmother would have said that anyone who raises the question of class, isn’t.

My question as the OP was whether this phenomenon had a name, or other good examples besides ‘classy’. If Hyacinth Bucket or Joe Sixpack call a party ‘classy’, IMO neither Hyacinth or Joe are classy, and the party probably wasn’t either. As Banksiamen said, if a salon is named “Trendy Haircuts” then the haircut you get there won’t be trendy. It doesn’t seem to me like countersignaling is the right term; signifier might be more apt but it seems to work in direction opposite of what the user intends. So anti-signifier?

Reminds me of saying basically anything definitively meant to convey you are in charge.

If you have to tell people you’re the boss…you’re not in charge.