To not know that you should say 'sorry' instead or 'pardon' if you want to sound posh?!

[joogle]

I've just read this in a book about English culture I'm reading, didn't have any idea, I always thought "pardon?" was the most formal way of saying "what?"

[CheeseandGherkins]

Pardon is grammatically incorrect. I hate it as my ex-mil used to say it all the time and try to make dcs say it...she thought she was so posh saying it. Mind you, Daily Mail readers, says it all...

[nickelbabe]

you say "what?" if you want to sound posh.

[bigTillyMint]

No, "youwhat?"

[cheekeymonkey]

No, ayy?

[Brightredstar]

"What did you say?"

[Chandon]

wanting to soudn posh if you are not actually posh...what's the point?

My posh MIl says: "Come again?" instead of "pardon" or "sorry"

[CheeseandGherkins]

See to me, pardon sounds posh. Where I was brought up (East London), it was always what. Who knew I was actually right!

[valiumredhead]

The word 'pardon' actually makes me cringe, don't know why it just always has

[Brightredstar]

pardon makes me cringe as well. It reminds me of people burping.

[steamedtreaclesponge]

'Pardon' is definitely not posh.

[BelleDameSansMerci]

"Pardon" is absolutely not posh. Very lower middle

[smileANDwave2000]

lol @ insert having said that i always say excuse me ,actually now i type it it sounds sarcastic doesnt it. DH says i say sorry to much and if the kids say it he says if you say sorry too often it means nothing

[SenoritaViva]

I come from a 'posh' family and went to a very posh boarding school. No one ever says pardon, tis considered 'terrribarly common'. I used to say it when I was a teenager to wind my mum up (so easy when they are so terribly grand!)

It used to be 'I beg your pardon?'. To be honest as someone who hasn't really followed the posh route particularly, just say what comes naturally to you. Those that judge are generally not that happy, as they should have better things to do with their time...

[seeker]

If you wnat to sound really posh, you say "What"" Or "I beg your pardon"


NEVER "Pardon?"

[smileANDwave2000]

i think you should say whatever you like your a grown up not to be dictated to by anyone i shall not say excuse me in future especially to big daddies taking up the whole aile ill say OI FAT BLOKE MOVE YER ARRIS lol

[freeloader]

ok:
What=working or upper class
Sorry=middle class
pardon=lower middle class

[cheekeymonkey]

"Move yer arris" Got to use that one, is it provincial?

[TrillianAstra]

If you want to sound posh then you have lost already.

I am reading Jilly Cooper's "Class" on my kindle at the moment - it's from 1979 and it's hilarious.

[TrillianAstra]

Watching the English is fun too, but it's not Jilly :o

[Punkatheart]

If you are REALLY posh you do not even ask - your butler will repeat it for you.

Excuse me, polo beckons.

[JoanofArgos]

Nancy Mitford said 'what?' was U and 'pardon' or 'begging pardon' etc were non-U.

You must also say 'medcin' not 'medIcine', 'napkin' not 'serviette', and 'riding' not 'horse-riding'.

[smileANDwave2000]

ive not read watching the english im just common as muck londoner me lol

[smileANDwave2000]

reminds me of the song lets call the whole thing off lol