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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this a middle class saying?

478 replies

Toblecorleone · 17/12/2023 19:36

Light hearted!

earlier today DH and I took DD to a small petting zoo type place. Not many people there and at one point it was just us and another woman with a girl aged about 3. Woman seemed quite posh, well spoken, both dressed rather posh - the woman was explaining something about guinea pigs to her daughter and then broke off and said “do you want bog?”

The girl said she did so off they went to find the toilets. I was quite suprised by the this phrase from someone who seemed so well spoken but DH says it’s a very middle class saying and he’d have thought “toilet” would have sounded more “common”.

I totally disagree!! Before anyone starts I know it doesn’t matter, I’m just amused by it and interested in how others would perceive this saying?!

YABU - Bog is very middle class
YANBU - bog is common talk

OP posts:
7catsisnotenough · 17/12/2023 19:37

Bog?! 🤮

StarlightLime · 17/12/2023 19:38

You can't be serious?

Deargodletitgo · 17/12/2023 19:38

Well apparently the word toilet is lower middle class, so any alternative word would be considered posher perhaps?

I always say loo. But I'm not British so don't give a shit.

Frasers · 17/12/2023 19:38

Bog isn’t middle class, what’s your bloke on 😂😂😂

Ladybugandflowers · 17/12/2023 19:39

Bog is not a middle class saying 😂😂😂

JenJenJenJenJenJen · 17/12/2023 19:39

Was it Waynetta Slob post Lottery win?

Clarinet1 · 17/12/2023 19:39

I would suggest that “bog” is pretty common. “Loo” is acceptable virtually anywhere but this who are truly what my DM would have called “PLU” (people like us) would insist on “Lavatory” - NEVER the “T” word!

NuffSaidSam · 17/12/2023 19:40

I've never heard anyone, of any class, say that.

It is true that posh people say loo and not toilet so perhaps he's getting mixed up with that.

Also, how do you know they went off to find the toilet? Maybe bog means something else entirely and they were going to get whatever it is.

Seeline · 17/12/2023 19:41

Middle class is lavatory, not toilet.
Definitely not big!

Passingthethyme · 17/12/2023 19:41

I say bathroom to strangers for some reason I feel toilet sounds too much like somewhere you go to the toilet! I feel bathroom is much more vague. Bog, just no.

Chugnut · 17/12/2023 19:42

Bog is fine. Normally use Loo or Lav.

Would never ever use toilet

howdoesyourgardengrowinmay · 17/12/2023 19:42

Powder room
Rest room
Lavatory
Toilet
Facilities
Wash room
Bog
Khazi
Ladies/gents

I just say ...... where's the ... ummmm.….

And leave it hanging, so to speak

Aprilx · 17/12/2023 19:42

Of course bog is not middle class, it is pretty gross. I wouldn’t say toilet either though, I think loo is the polite word.

Original poster
Toblecorleone · 17/12/2023 19:42

So are we saying bog is posher than toilet?

OP posts:
Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 17/12/2023 19:43

Did she say 'do you want bog?' Not 'do you want THE bog?'

Because if she phrased it like that, it sounds more like 'bog' is the name of someone or something, like Daddy or a cuddly toy.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 17/12/2023 19:43

Seeline · 17/12/2023 19:41

Middle class is lavatory, not toilet.
Definitely not big!

in which century?

Flamesatmytoes · 17/12/2023 19:44

I always say loo to DC, and recently come over all American and ask for restrooms - American family has rubbed off

CharlotteSometimes1 · 17/12/2023 19:44

Using the word toilet indicates your class, those in the know are aware it’s ‘common’ as are many words that aren’t traditionally English. Many people think it’s perfectly acceptable, they don’t know they’re signaling that they’re not middle class. Therefore given the choice between bog and toilet, bog wins.

You may think this is all nonsense, but that’s the class system for you. See Nancy Mitford U and NonU.

Lovepeaceunderstanding · 17/12/2023 19:46

If I said it I would say the bog but I would actually ask if she wanted the loo.

DelurkingAJ · 17/12/2023 19:47

Boys are what they were called at my private prep school…so yes, I’d associate it with the upper middle classes. Odd to use as an adult, to my mind, though.

PhulNana · 17/12/2023 19:48

Deargodletitgo · 17/12/2023 19:38

Well apparently the word toilet is lower middle class, so any alternative word would be considered posher perhaps?

I always say loo. But I'm not British so don't give a shit.

When I was at a council junior school, and a private secondary, it was 'the bogs' and I don't think it has any particular class basis. It is very casual and informal like 'the jakes'. My mother called it 'the WC' The only thing that stops me saying 'lavatory' in supermarkets, shopping malls etc, is the fear that staff won't have the faintest idea what that word means. So I say 'toilet'.

SecondHandFurniture · 17/12/2023 19:49

I just say to DS "Do you need a wee?"

Or will announce I'm going for a wee myself...

Pigeonqueen · 17/12/2023 19:50

Bog is absolutely not posh. Neither is toilet. Loo or “use the bathroom”.

Thepeopleversuswork · 17/12/2023 19:50

I don't think everyone feels they have to adhere rigidly to class bound phrases tbh. There's no rule saying posh people can't say "bog".

As a general rule the more socially confident people are the less likely they are to care about class based markers. So I can imagine a posh person worrying less about saying "bog" than someone less socially confident.

But as an observation "toilet" is very lower middle class. My mum was a roaring snob and she would have shot me for using the word "toilet". She would have thought (but not said in so many words) that it was very common.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 17/12/2023 19:52

I haven't heard 'big' since I was at school.