stephen1965
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 176
- Location
- London
About a year ago, in the English press there were articles about the mother of Prince William's girlfriend. (Can't recall her name). Anyway, apparently she would say 'Pardon?' (non U) when she meant 'What?'.(U = upper class, non-U means aspiring middle class)
The English author Nancy Mitford took up the usage(of U and non- U)in an essay, “The English Aristocracy”, that was published by Stephen Spender in his magazine Encounter in 1954.
I would suggest that use of the word 'sorry' is a tricky area in demarcating U and non-U and that is why there is so much debate about it. We just don't really know where it belongs and where the person saying it belongs.
Some say 'Sorry?' as an alternative to the harsher sounding 'What?' and as a shortened version of 'I'm sorry I couldn't hear you'.. So it's non aspiring but most upper class speech would probably go for 'What? (speak up), I can't hear you' Of course, 'Sorry' as an apology would be totally acceptable...On a lighter note but on the subject of non-U speech here's some fun examples:
How To Get On In Society by John Betjeman
Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.
Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs in the grate.
It's ever so close in the lounge dear,
But the vestibule's comfy for tea
And Howard is riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me
Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know that I wanted to ask you-
Is trifle sufficient for sweet?
Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I'm afraid the preserve's full of stones;
Beg pardon, I'm soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.
The English author Nancy Mitford took up the usage(of U and non- U)in an essay, “The English Aristocracy”, that was published by Stephen Spender in his magazine Encounter in 1954.
I would suggest that use of the word 'sorry' is a tricky area in demarcating U and non-U and that is why there is so much debate about it. We just don't really know where it belongs and where the person saying it belongs.
Some say 'Sorry?' as an alternative to the harsher sounding 'What?' and as a shortened version of 'I'm sorry I couldn't hear you'.. So it's non aspiring but most upper class speech would probably go for 'What? (speak up), I can't hear you' Of course, 'Sorry' as an apology would be totally acceptable...On a lighter note but on the subject of non-U speech here's some fun examples:
How To Get On In Society by John Betjeman
Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.
Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs in the grate.
It's ever so close in the lounge dear,
But the vestibule's comfy for tea
And Howard is riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me
Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know that I wanted to ask you-
Is trifle sufficient for sweet?
Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I'm afraid the preserve's full of stones;
Beg pardon, I'm soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.