Dictionary definition of “perfumed prince”

perfumed prince

n. a man who is seen as bureaucratic or careerist; a man who is said to be effete, feminine, ineffectual, vacillating, or cowardly; (hence) a member of the U.S. military leadership (at the Pentagon); top brass. Subjects: English, Military, Politics

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Citations: 1987 David H. Hackworth Washington Post (June 7) “Bring Back Blood-and-Guts Patton!” p. B2: He should send the corporate generals and admirals packing quicksmart to industry where their brilliance would be well used, and replace these perfumed princes with colorful, knowledgeable warriors who will return our armed forces to the winner’s circle. 1996 David Broder @ Sarajevo, Bosnia San Antonio Express News (Texas) (Jan. 13) “In Bosnia, one decisive American leader”: I’m not sure that his biggest problems here won’t be with the politically correct Washington crowd and the top-ranking perfumed princes. 1998 Joe R. Richardson @ Fairview Cincinatti Post (Ohio) (Dec. 30) “If you don’t have stomach for war, don’t start one” p. *A: These Defense Department do-gooders and their Pentagon Perfumed Princes are asking our military personnel to go to war and to kill for their country, but they must do it in a nice way. If they show their warrior spirit in the least, they will be reprimanded and admonished. 1999 Las Vegas Review-Journal (Nev.) (July 23) “The lines are drawn” p. 20B: The only souls who would benefit from their current plans are the Perfumed Princes of the Beltway. Maybe they should call it “The Party of the Bureaucrat.” 2002 Robert Coram Boyd : The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War (December) p. 299: Boyd was usually late to work, was slovelny, and disobeyed orders. He referred to generals as “perfumed princes” or “weak dicks” who would put their lives on the line for their country but not their jobs. 2003 Charley Reese Grand Rapids Press (Mich.) (Sept. 30) “Is Wes Clark just a perfumed prince?” p. A13: My friend says that Clark is “the last guy in the world you want to see in the White House.” He describes him as a “perfumed prince” who is so conceited he never admits he’s wrong and treats subordinates like dirt. 2005 W. Thomas Smith Jr. Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Wash.) (May 12) “David Hackworth: Unforgettable soldier”: Where Hack and I did—and I still do—agree was in our disdain for ticket-punching senior military officers, who were more concerned about their own careers than they were about the individual soldiers under their commands. Hack referred to them as “perfumed princes,” and he wanted them out of the defense establishment just as soon as they showed their cards and before they could make decisions affecting the lives of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.

Posted 12 May 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend