'snobbery' originates from the English word 'snob', which was used in the 18th century to refer to a shoemaker or a cobbler, and later evolved to mean someone who imitates the manners of the upper classes.

'snob' changed from its original meaning of 'shoemaker' to 'someone who imitates the upper classes' in the 19th century, eventually leading to the modern English word 'snobbery'.

Initially, it meant 'shoemaker', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'pretentious behavior'.