Spiesser

The word "Spiesser" stems from medieval times, when ordinary citizens armed themselves with inexpensive yet effective "Spiesse," or spears in an effort to defend themselves and their land, often successfully, against the noble knights. In the 20th century, the term "Spiesser" was used by the more progressive, left-wing groups to disdainfully describe the social elite, that is, the so-called establishment. More recently, the word along with the adjective form "spiessig" have come to refer somewhat more positively to those who strive for material security (e.g. white picket fence and SUV) and live according to traditional middle-class values. Last year, a savings and loan association ran a TV commercial showing a hippie father sitting with his young daughter in the trailer park where they lived. When he scornfully calls a couple of neighbors, who have managed to buy a house, "Spiesser," the little girl says: "Daddy, I want to be a 'Spiesser' when I grow up, too."