Filthy rich

Origin of: Filthy rich

Filthy rich

This expression for describing wealthy people developed out of the expression filthy lucre. Lucre is a medieval word for money and was used by both Chaucer and Wycliffe during the 14th century. It derives from the Latin lucrum meaning gain. The word lucrative is from the same root. The source of filthy lucre is the Bible I Timothy 3:8, “not greedy of filthy lucre” and since the 16th century, the phrase filthy lucre has been used to describe money gained by dishonourable means. This in turn developed into filthy rich as the use of lucre began to fall away. The meaning of filthy rich today has somewhat softened and does not necessarily imply ill-gotten wealth.