Prince William is single after a rumored intervention by the royal family due to Kate’s ‘common-ness.’
A little research into this curious phenomenon of British class snobbery led to Nancy Mitford’s theory on “U” and “non-U”; that is, upper-class and non-upper-class language. According to a Wikipedia citation (very non-u), Mitford provided a glossary of terms used by the upper-classes which unleashed an anxious national debate about English class-consciousness.
I’ve mentioned before, I heart lists:
| U | Non-U |
|---|---|
| Bike or Bicycle | Cycle |
| Dinner Jacket | Dress Suit |
| Knave | Jack (cards) |
| Vegetables | Greens |
| Ice | Ice Cream |
| Scent | Perfume |
| They’ve a very nice house. | They have a lovely home. |
| Ill (in bed) | Sick (in bed) |
| I was sick on the boat. | I was ill on the boat. |
| Looking-Glass | Mirror |
| Spectacles | Glasses |
| False Teeth | Dentures |
| Die | Pass on |
| Mad | Mental |
| Jam | Preserve |
| Napkin | Serviette |
| Sofa | Settee |
| Lavatory or Loo | Toilet |
| Rich | Wealthy |
| What? | Pardon? |
It’s predicted many a girl are dusting off their ballgowns now that Will is back on the market, but personally I’ve been over him for ages now. It’s Hot Harry who’s more attention worthy.
Definition of the day: Shibboleth - any language usage indicative of one’s social or regional origin, or more broadly, any practice that identifies members of a group.
Proper usage: “That’s such a shibboleth use of language.” *Deliver comment in an off-hand manner and with a deadpan expression = Guaranteed conversation killer*
i agree with your u & non-u table, except for the last example; i’d have thought what is more crude than pardon. (by the way, the table is blocked by the category & comment bar of your theme.)
i’m interested in the differences of terms between upper & lower classes; i wrote a term paper about how french loanwords are the symbol of sophiscation from the times of middle english until now http://sulz.daria.be/read-my-research-paper
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