New Russian (новый русский - novyi russkiy in Russian) is a half-sarcastic term for newly rich businessmen in post-Soviet Russia, who got wealthy very quickly using semi-criminal methods during Russia's chaotic transition to a market economy. The term is likely derived from French nouveau riche (i.e. newly rich), where the pronounciation of 'riche' is somewhat similar to "Russian" in English.
Having a modest education and social background, New Russians are perceived as arrogant nouveau riche who have a bad taste and show off their money and status symbols, including jewelry and luxury cars. In the early 1990s, prominent attributes of the New Russian stereotype also included mobile phones and crimson silk jackets. The term implies a contrast with "old Russians", common Soviet-era people who lack a sense of entrepreneurship.
New Russians star in an entire generation of Russian jokes.
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