老克勒

    lǎokèlè

    Meaning: This is a well-known Chinglish term in the Shanghai dialect, which derived from the English word "class" of "classy" in the 1930s and 1940s. The Chinese term was used to describe the high-class Shanghai gentlemen who lived a Western-style life in the city. Now it also has the meaning of being around a lot and knowing all the answers.

    Example

    A: 老马生活很有情调啊。

    Lǎomǎ shēnghuó hěn yǒu qíngdiào a。

    Laoma lives a classy life.

    B: 他是老克勒，留过学，跳舞、听歌剧、喝红酒还抽雪茄。

    Tā shì lǎokèlè, líu guò xué, tiàowǔ、tīng gējù、hē hóngjǐu hái chōu xuějiā。

    He is the old Shanghai gentleman who had studied overseas. He dances, goes to opera shows, drink red wine and smokes cigars.

    A: 他一定家境很好。

    Tā yīdìng jiājìng hěn hǎo。

    He must have been born loaded.

    B: 是啊，他爸是个做生意的有钱人。

    Shì a, tā bà shì gè zuò shēngyì de yǒuqiánrén。

    Yeah, his old man is a wealthy businessman.