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Original poster

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

87 replies

joogle · 31/05/2011 17:16

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?"

OP posts:
yoshiLunk · 31/05/2011 20:08

My Dad has always shortened 'pardon' to PAarrN?

eg

Mum: You've got kippers, dear, will be five mo....

Dad: PaaaRRN?

Mum: five more mi...

Dad PaaRRN?

Mum: let me finish and you might hea...

Dad: PaaaRRN?

smartyparts · 31/05/2011 20:09

Was always taught 'what' or 'sorry'. Never 'pardon'. Taught my dcs the same. 'Pardon' really makes me cringe.

'Watching the English' - sure my mum was a contributer...

Hullygully · 31/05/2011 20:10

It's very simple.

Do not use any words of French extraction eg toilet, serviette as they were brought by the Normans whom the aristocracy resent, entirely understandably.

UrsulaBuffay · 31/05/2011 20:11

It should be :

Repeat yourself commoner!

Rapaccioli · 31/05/2011 20:12

What?

Pandemoniaa · 31/05/2011 20:13

"Pardon" is nearly as awful as "serviette".

shinyshoes · 31/05/2011 20:14

I thought 'WHAT ' was terribly common.
As in = 'what I can't hear you', that looks and sounds common

Hullygully · 31/05/2011 20:14

It is utterly ridiculous to have language prejudices based on an invasion in 1066. FFS.

cuttingpicassostoenails · 31/05/2011 20:17

Eh?

smartyparts · 31/05/2011 20:19

And 'serviette' is almost as bad as 'settee' Grin

5DollarShake · 31/05/2011 20:23

Ayone that has to ask to, or worse, beg to be 'pardoned' is not posh, if that's what you aspire to be.

However, who who judges you on the words you use is not well-mannered. :)

Original poster
joogle · 31/05/2011 20:27

What should you say instead of toilet if you want to sound posh?

OP posts:
UrsulaBuffay · 31/05/2011 20:30

If someone said pardon to me I'd look at them like they'd just shat on my silverware.

UrsulaBuffay · 31/05/2011 20:30

toilet: The shitter

posterofagirl · 31/05/2011 20:36

I only just stopped grunting at people who mumble.
But I have no class.

LeQueen · 31/05/2011 20:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
joogle · 31/05/2011 20:43

Don't get me wrong I don't want to be posh, but this has opened up a whole new and interesting use of the English language to me!

OP posts:
mollymole · 31/05/2011 20:47

the word should be 'WHAT' as in what did you say & why would anyone ever say sorry - you've not done anything wrong have you

perplexedpirate · 31/05/2011 20:51

My friend went through a phase of wanting to sound posh and took it so far that no-one had clue what he was talking about. He also appeared to think that posh=1940s and kept referring to the wireless and the glass (for mirror). After a few days of people responding to his every utterance with bemusement he toned it down.

I HATE "serviette" though. Reminds me of a sanitary towel.

catwhiskers10 · 31/05/2011 21:04

I thought pardon was more polite too.
I usually say sorry or (family and friends only) "EH?" :)

LynetteScavo · 31/05/2011 21:05

"Pardon" really grates on me. My children have been taught to say it in school.(State, obviously)

And it's loo, not toilet.

SupersonicDave · 31/05/2011 21:11

According to the horsey looking woman on Ladette to Lady, you should say 'lavatory' instead of toilet.

I have a copy of Jilly Cooper's Class too, hilarious, i love it.

smileANDwave2000 · 31/05/2011 21:13

i still think as the poster said earlier to big daddie in a queue who had a go at her as she said "sorry blah blah blah " as she couldnt get passed id say "OI FAT BLOKE MOVE YER ARRIS" when id normally say "please excuse me may i get passed " but seems its not grammatically correct i hear surprisingly "what" is the correct wording ...my mum would be mortified she always said pardon or excuse me

ceres · 31/05/2011 21:15

i cannot stand the word 'posh'.

i would say what rather than pardon - tbh i wouldn't notice whether anyone else used what or pardon.

smileANDwave2000 · 31/05/2011 21:15

oh dear SupersonicDave so move out the way you big fat barstewards not polite? oh bollox lol