17．One of the hottest buzzwords（時(shí)髦詞兒，流行語(yǔ)） in China right now is no doubt tuhao（土豪），a sarcastic（諷刺的），light-hearted term（術(shù)語(yǔ)） referring to rich people of little education，bad taste or lacking self-awareness．
This is yet another example of smart Chinese Internet users applying their creativity to an aged phrase and giving it new life and meaning．The term，which literally means"country bully（惡霸）"，has been around since ancient times，when it was used to refer to rich and powerful rural landlords（地主）．
However，the meaning of the word changed significantly when it was used a few years ago by Chinese players of the wildly popular computer game"World of Warcraft"（魔獸世界） to refer to rich players who spend big money buying powerful virtual weapons（武器）．Because they don't improve their skills by playing，these players are considered silly，uncultured，and unprofessional（外行的）．
But that is not the end of tuhao's new life story．The renewed popularity of the term also coincides with（同時(shí)發(fā)生）the emergence（出現(xiàn)）of the Chinese"nouveaux riches"（暴發(fā)戶）一a generation of businessmen and women，property owners and entrepreneurs who have rapidly accumulated large amounts of wealth in recent years．
Similar to the many rags-to-riches（白手起家的） stories in human history，many Chinese billionaires who are on the global rich list do not come from well-educated or prestigious（聲望很高的）backgrounds．Rather，they achieved financial success through powerful connections，smart investments，and by benefiting from China's economic boom．Many of them don't shy away from throwing their money around，yet we are often reminded of their lack of manners，taste and cultural sensitivity．
As a result，a term that was popularized in the gaming world has now also been introduced into daily conversation．
Trendy，young Internet users，who see themselves as the opposite of tuhao一not wealthy，but well-educated and cultured一have further popularized the term by using it in various comic situations．For example，the phrase"let's be friends，tuhao，"became hot after it appeared in an online joke about a conversation between a rich young man and a wise monk．
When Apple released（發(fā)布） its much anticipated iPhone 5S in September，Chinese Internet users accurately predicted the great popularity of the new golden-colored models among the Chinese consumers，and named it"tuhao gold"，to make fun of the taste of rich Chinese people．
（81）Changesin meaning | In （82）
ancient/oldtimes | "Country bully"referring to rich and powerful landlords who oppressed others |
| In the gaming world | Rich but unprofessional players，meaning players who would rather buy powerful virtual （83）weaponsthan improve skills by playing |
In recent daily
life | Tasteless"nouveaux riches"，indicating those rich people who have benefited from the bombing economy of China but are known for their （84）lackof manners，taste and cultural sensitivity |
| Examples of its application | "Let's be friends，tuhao．" | An online（85）jokeabout a conversation between a rich young man and a wise monk |
| "Tuhao gold" | A term meant to tease the taste of rich Chinese people |
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