No one would argue with the fact the Royal family are not
like the rest of us.
like the rest of us.
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| British Royal Family. PHOTO: AP |
They live in palaces and sprawling manors. We don’t. They’re
fabulously wealthy. We live in permanent fear of our card being declined.
fabulously wealthy. We live in permanent fear of our card being declined.
The numerous differences also – and obviously – go far
beyond the material and fiscal.
Unsurprisingly, the Royal family have a very different way
of speaking.
of speaking.
Social anthropologist and author of Watching the English,
Kate Fox, has given us a fascinating insight into the vocabulary loved by the
Royals.
Kate Fox, has given us a fascinating insight into the vocabulary loved by the
Royals.
Specifically, there are certain words Kate, Will, the Queen,
Prince Charles and co. NEVER use – and here they are (just in case they pop
round for dinner).
Prince Charles and co. NEVER use – and here they are (just in case they pop
round for dinner).
• Pardon
We’d always thought ‘pardon’ was more polite than the
alternatives.
alternatives.
Not being royal, however, we were wrong.
‘Pardon’, Mamamia reveals, is forbidden to use.
Instead, if you haven’t heard what the Duke of Edinburgh has
just said to you, you should say ‘sorry?’ or even ‘sorry, what?’
just said to you, you should say ‘sorry?’ or even ‘sorry, what?’
Or simply pretend you have heard with a nod and a smile. It
may be for the best.
may be for the best.
• Toilet
The word ‘toilet’ may be a more palatable term than ‘bog’ or
‘loo’, but it’s the latter which is used whenever a member of the House of
Windsor needs to relieve themselves.
‘loo’, but it’s the latter which is used whenever a member of the House of
Windsor needs to relieve themselves.
‘Toilet’ is French by origin, so is apparently avoided.
So, if you’re ever wandering the vast corridors in
Buckingham Palace, desperate for a tinkle, ask the nearest footman where the
LOO is.
Buckingham Palace, desperate for a tinkle, ask the nearest footman where the
LOO is.
• Perfume
Complimenting someone on how they smell is a tricky one.
It’s a fine line between coming across simply as nice, or just plain creepy .
It’s a fine line between coming across simply as nice, or just plain creepy .
Unfortunately, the Royal’s preferred word for perfume won’t
help.
help.
The Royals don’t wear perfume. They wear scent.
Sadly, “I like your scent” will always sound
creepy. Fact.
creepy. Fact.
• Tea
According to Kate Fox, one surefire way of outing yourself
as being decidedly un-royal is to refer to your evening meal as ‘tea’.
as being decidedly un-royal is to refer to your evening meal as ‘tea’.
If you do want to convince her you’re blue blooded, invite
the Queen around for ‘dinner’ or ‘supper’.
the Queen around for ‘dinner’ or ‘supper’.
She probably won’t come, but at least she’ll know to which
meal you’re referring.
meal you’re referring.
• Lounge
The palaces have many rooms, but not one of them is a lounge,
nor a living room.
nor a living room.
This isn’t because the Royals aren’t permitted a space to
watch Hollyoaks or play Cards Against Humanity.
watch Hollyoaks or play Cards Against Humanity.
Instead, it’s because they retire to either a ‘drawing room’
or ‘sitting room’.
or ‘sitting room’.
• Posh
The first rule of being posh? You never refer to someone –
or yourself – as being posh.
or yourself – as being posh.
According to Kate, you’re ‘smart’.
Culled from Mirror.co.uk
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