In Act 2 of Arms and the Man, there is a conversation between Major Petkoff and his wife, Catherine, about cleanliness.Catherine, who is more modern and cares about cleanliness, says, "You are a barbarian at heart still." She is teasing her husband, saying that even though he is rich and lives in a nice home, he still has some old habits. Catherine is pointing out that, in some ways, Major Petkoff hasn't changed with the times. She uses the word "barbarian" to mean someone who is not civilized or modern.Major Petkoff, however, defends his father's old-fashioned habits.