Can someone explain to me 'shabby gentile?'

[Vincenzo]

This has probably been asked a million times but I didn't see it.

[GUT]

This has probably been asked a million times but I didn't see it.

Think in terms it looks like he was once worth something but has fallen on hard times.

[DJA]

Sorta like casebook and Pierre.

[Ben]

What GUT said, although I'd adjust slightly - the clothes were worth something before they fell on hard times, i.e. wearing and disrepair after being pawned several times over, most likely.

[Fisherman]

Think Mr Micawber, before he left for Australia.

[DJA]

Sounds like GUT's long lost relative

[MrBarnett]

And of course, it should be genteel, not gentile.

[Fisherman]

And of course, it should be genteel, not gentile.

Jew would know...

[Vincenzo]

And of course, it should be genteel, not gentile.

Thanks for that. Lol

[DJA]

And of course, it should be genteel, not gentile.

Ironically one of the courts off Fashion Street,possibly 6 Fashion Court,was home to a Barnett family in 1881. Jewish.

Than again,6 Fashion Street was supported by a member of the Frankenstein family.

[MrBarnett]

Barnett was quite a common Anglicised name among Jews in the East End.

[Robert]

http://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-S/Shabby-Genteel.htm

[DJA]

Barnett was quite a common Anglicised name among Jews in the East End.

Missed the point.

Cheers and thanks for the input. Really.

[DJA]

http://monologues.co.uk/musichall/So...by-Genteel.htm

Can identify with that.

Abelard shirts,John Karindonous boots,Conte de Roma suits,designer ties,etc.
Picked up a strep infection in November 1982. Meh.

Just plain shabby these days.....captain tracky daks

[Yabs]

There's a book written originally in 1840 called "a shabby genteel story"
If anyone feels inclined you can purchase a copy for as little as 1p

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0814781543/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1465997231&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=a+shabby+genteel+story&dpPl=1&dpID=517qgvk52IL&ref=plSrch