"a choice or select body, the best part," 1823, from French élite "selection, choice," from Old French eslite (12c.), fem. past participle of elire, elisre "pick out, choose," from Latin eligere "choose" (see election). Borrowed in Middle English as "chosen person" (late 14c.), especially a bishop-elect, but it died out mid-15c. The word was re-introduced by Byron's "Don Juan." As an adjective by 1852. As a typeface, recorded by 1920.
interesting:
"a choice or select body, the best part," 1823, from French élite "selection, choice," from Old French eslite (12c.), fem. past participle of elire, elisre "pick out, choose," from Latin eligere "choose" (see election). Borrowed in Middle English as "chosen person" (late 14c.), especially a bishop-elect, but it died out mid-15c. The word was re-introduced by Byron's "Don Juan." As an adjective by 1852. As a typeface, recorded by 1920.
Who does the choosing?
"bloodlines"
Another perspective: knowing how they like to reverse everything, "elite" might be an inside joke for "dregs."
Jusqua porter la besace = beggar = Geus.
That used to be a designation for the Dutch rebels who dared to defy the Spanish Empire. It was embraced by the rebels as a badge of honor.
So, indeed, elite indeed may very well mean quite the opposite: the excrement of society.