Rich as a Jew
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
This expression arose in the Middle Ages, when Jews were almost the only money-lenders, and were certainly the most wealthy of the people.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Rich as a Jew” mean?
This expression arose in the Middle Ages, when Jews were almost the only money-lenders, and were certainly the most wealthy of the people.
Is “Rich as a Jew” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.