"That's when it hit me: There are certain phrases that instantly reveal someone grew up with money, even when they're not trying to flex. These verbal tells slip out in everyday conversation, painting a picture of childhoods filled with private schools, summer homes, and trust funds without ever mentioning a single dollar amount. After interviewing over 200 people throughout my career, from startup founders to researchers studying social behavior, I've noticed these linguistic patterns repeatedly. They're not necessarily bad or good, just revealing."
"1) "My parents' guy can probably help with that." Whether it's finding a good accountant, fixing a leaky roof, or navigating a legal issue, people who grew up wealthy often have a network of professionals at their fingertips through their parents. They don't have a plumber; they have "their parents' plumber" who's been fixing pipes since 1987. I once dated someone who casually dropped this phrase when my car broke down. "Oh, my parents' mechanic is amazing, he'll come pick it up from your place." The assumption that everyone has these established professional relationships through family reveals a childhood where problems were solved with phone calls to trusted experts, not YouTube tutorials and crossed fingers."
Certain common phrases act as verbal indicators of a wealthy upbringing by implying routine access to resources most people lack. Examples include referencing "parents' guys" for services and claiming the ability to take a gap year without financial worry. These phrases reveal established family networks of trusted professionals, financial cushions that enable extended nonwork time, and an assumption that problems are solved through calls to experts rather than DIY solutions. Such linguistic patterns frequently surface in casual conversation and can unintentionally disclose socioeconomic background through everyday speech.
Read at Silicon Canals
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