Meaning & Analysis
To stand on one's pantofles (a type of elevated overshoe), i.e., to act or carry oneself in a proud, lofty, or self-important manner.
Insights
Arrogance and Pride
The proverb metaphorically describes a person behaving with excessive pride or self-importance, elevating themselves—both figuratively and literally—above others.
Assuming Superiority
It can signify someone who insists on their own value, dignity, or superiority, often in a way that is perceived as unjustified or pompous.
Affectation or Pretension
The saying also captures affectation—someone 'standing on their pantofles' is putting on airs, being haughty, or making a show of status or refinement.
Material Culture and Social Status
Pantofles, as raised footwear protecting from mud, also elevated the wearer physically—making them a fitting symbol for social elevation and pretension in early modern Europe.
Language of Social Critique
The proverb, often used satirically, became a popular way to mock those who adopt airs or assert their supposed superiority, functioning as a social corrective against arrogance.
Parallels in Proverbial Speech
Related sayings such as 'He thinks his penny good silver' reinforce the theme of overvaluing oneself, while 'to be on a merry pin' alludes to similarly performative or ostentatious attitudes.
Rhetorical Devices
Metonymy
Pantofles stand for pride or social elevation, using a physical object to represent an abstract quality.
Visual Imagery
The mental picture of someone raised up on platform shoes effectively conveys the sense of loftiness and distance from others.
Irony
The underlying irony—emphasizing how artificial or affected such pride appears—strengthens the proverb’s critical tone.
Transcription
Quotations
Now he was altogither set on his merri pinnes, and walkd on his stateli pantocles.
Shee hath great cause to stande upon her pantofles, and to thinke her halfepennie better silver than other womens.
Sometimes be merrie and stand vppon thy pantoffles like a new elected scauinger.
To stand vpon his pantofles, or on high tearmes.
He standeth too much on his pantofles.
The Villaine stands upon his pantofles, and begins to looke big.
To walk a tip-toes on pantofles, viz. softly and gingerly, also to be lofty, arrogant and proud.
(upon).
He stands on his pantoffes.
He is grown very proud; he stands on his Pantofles.
Cross References
Annotations
- an overshoe with a cork sole worn to raise the feet from the wet or the mud
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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