epicier

The French have adopted the term epicier (grocer) to designate the sort of being whom the Germans designate by the term Philistine; but the French term ” besides that it casts a slur upon a respectable class, composed of living and susceptible members, while the original Philistines are dead and buried long ago ” is really, I think, in itself much less apt and expressive than the German term.

Matthew Arnold Russell, G W E 1904

A machine such as they hire out for a third-rate wedding to carry an epicier to the Mairie, to Church, and to the Cadran bleu. —

Scenes from a Courtesan's Life 2007

Not sooner go I from France, dan she ees marie to un grand, gros, fat epicier of La Villette -- Marie dat was fiancee au moi, gentilhomme!

She and I, Volume 2 A Love Story. A Life History.

I sends un cartel -- you comprends -- to ze gros bon ami de ma Marie, ce cochon d'un epicier!

She and I, Volume 2 A Love Story. A Life History.

Efforts have been made to obtain in English some term equivalent to Philister or epicier; Mr. Carlyle has made several such efforts: “Respectability with its thousand gigs,” he says; well, the occupant of every one of these gigs is, Mr. Carlyle means, a Philistine.

Matthew Arnold Russell, G W E 1904

The epicier is bushy and curly about the ears (see an example in 'Galignani'), and moreover will keep the colour of the curl

The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning Browning, Elizabeth B 1898

A country-dance was called, and the _epicier_ claimed the fair hand of the gentle Adele.

Night and Morning, Volume 3 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

The intelligent _epicier_ smoothed back the irritated

Night and Morning, Volume 3 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

Somewhat agitated by a slight flutter behind the folds, which made him fancy, on the sudden panic, that Rosalie was creeping that way, the _epicier_ made an abrupt pirouette, and the hook on which the curtains were suspended caught his left coat-tail,

Night and Morning, Volume 3 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

I had balanced a little hitherto between the _epicier_ and the Vicomte.

Night and Morning, Volume 3 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838