archie bunker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Literary/Cultural Reference
Quick answer
What does “archie bunker” mean?
A proper noun referring to the fictional character, a blue-collar, conservative, and often bigoted working-class American, from the 1970s TV sitcom 'All in the Family'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to the fictional character, a blue-collar, conservative, and often bigoted working-class American, from the 1970s TV sitcom 'All in the Family'.
A cultural archetype and eponym for a person, typically male, who is narrow-minded, prejudiced, politically conservative, resistant to social change, and who voices bigoted opinions, often while believing themselves to be simply common-sense and patriotic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The character and show are American cultural products, making the term far more common and instantly recognizable in American English. In British English, the reference might be known but is less pervasive; similar archetypes might be referenced differently (e.g., 'a Alf Garnett type', from the British show 'Till Death Us Do Part', which inspired 'All in the Family').
Connotations
In both varieties, the connotation is strongly negative, denoting prejudice and ignorance. In the US, it may also carry a specific connotation of a certain generation and socio-economic class (post-war urban working class).
Frequency
High frequency in American cultural/political commentary; low to medium frequency in British English, primarily among those familiar with American pop culture.
Grammar
How to Use “archie bunker” in a Sentence
[determiner] + Archie Bunker + noun (e.g., an Archie Bunker reaction)be + like + Archie Bunkerhave + an + Archie Bunker + momentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “archie bunker” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His Archie Bunker-esque remarks about immigration shocked the younger guests.
- The editorial had a distinctly Archie Bunker tone.
American English
- He went on an Archie Bunker rant about the new neighbourhood policies.
- That's some real Archie Bunker logic you're using there.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in discussions about workplace diversity or generational conflict in corporate culture.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, media studies, sociology, and political science as a defined archetype for analyzing media representations of class and prejudice.
Everyday
Used in informal discussion, often in political or social commentary to criticize someone's views as outdated and prejudiced.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of specific humanities research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “archie bunker”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “archie bunker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “archie bunker”
- Using it as a common noun without capitalisation (*an archie bunker*).
- Misspelling as 'Archie Bunkers' or 'Archie Bunker's'.
- Assuming it is a compliment or denotes simple 'old-fashioned' charm rather than active prejudice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Archie Bunker is a fictional character portrayed by Carroll O'Connor in the American television sitcom 'All in the Family' (1971-1979).
Almost never. It is a critical term used to label someone as holding outdated, bigoted, or narrow-minded views, even if sometimes used with a degree of nostalgic humour.
Yes, the character Alf Garnett from the British sitcom 'Till Death Us Do Part' (1966-1975) is a direct precursor and UK equivalent. The show 'All in the Family' was actually an American adaptation of this British series.
Yes, in informal and journalistic contexts, it is commonly used attributively (e.g., 'Archie Bunker politics', 'an Archie Bunker attitude') to describe views or rhetoric reminiscent of the character.
A proper noun referring to the fictional character, a blue-collar, conservative, and often bigoted working-class American, from the 1970s TV sitcom 'All in the Family'.
Archie bunker is usually informal, literary/cultural reference in register.
Archie bunker: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑːtʃi ˈbʌŋkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːrtʃi ˈbʌŋkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to pull an Archie Bunker (to say something prejudiced and outdated)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARCHie' likes his ARCHaic views, and they BUNKER down, refusing to change.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A CULTURAL ARTEFACT (where the artefact represents a set of outdated social beliefs).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of describing someone as 'an Archie Bunker'?