Peter York

There was a time when formal clothes were one of life's great pleasures, as well as a way of describing instantly a man's status wealth. Toffs wore the most, the proles the least. Fast forward to 2008 and clothes are still an unrivalled pleasure but some men - and this includes many of our betters - have confused status with fake informality.

British Journalist

Vinnie Jones

I'm a Conservative, but I talk for the ordinary working classes. I get on with the boys at the pub, but I can also mix with Prince Andrew. I understand both levels. The toffs haven't lived in council estates; they've just known big mansions. How can they understand how the postman feels? I would never say no to becoming an MP.

British Actor

Victoria Coren Mitchell

The truth is, I feel sorry for the Old Etonians. Everybody should be judged on his or her own merits. Assuming that toffs are 'out of touch' is more modern and fashionable than assuming they have a 'natural fitness for government,' but it's no fairer.

English Writer

Mary Beard

What interests me is the idea that classics is actually quite democratic. It isn't only the toff, upper-class subject it's often thought to be. Every generation enjoys rediscovering it.

Honeysuckle Weeks

If you live in the countryside, you understand that hunting isn't just for toffs. It's for the farmers. It's for everyone's enjoyment.

British Actress

London clubland divides itself between the St James's refuge for toffs, and the Conquest of Cool, for the arts and media.

Marco Pierre White

I like a nice cross section of society in my restaurants - the stars, the toffs, the working guy.

British Chef

Lenny Henry

Shakespeare is for everybody, not just for toffs with a cauliflower down their tights.

Jim Broadbent

It's funny how a film about a murderous old English toff can help you.

American Actor

Samuel West

I usually play toffs and soldiers, with a sideline in mass murderers.

Toff often implies stereotyped traits of the upper class, not just wealth, such as being out of touch with ordinary people.

Social Stereotype

'Toff' can be used humorously or slightly insulting to suggest someone is overly posh or snobbish.

Mildly Derogatory

'Toff' is common in British English and might not be understood or used in the same way elsewhere.