to say "pardon?"

[matildamatilda]

So I'm American and in the US it's not rude to say "What?" when someone calls you or when you didn't hear something.

It's informal, but not at all rude. Especially if you say it in a pleasant tone. So kids wouldn't be told off for answering "what?" the way they are here. It's just "what" as in "what did you say?"

Since I've lived here I've been training myself to say "Pardon?" but I just can't get the hang of it. It sounds kind of... supercilious maybe? Huffy? Am I just not pulling it off?

I usually end up saying, "Here I am, " or "Sorry did you say something?"

Do you say "pardon"?

Sorry or what.

Never, ever pardon.

It's one of the affected 'naice' words that's the opposite of posh.

What not pardon
Sofa not settee
Lavatory not toilet
Napkin not serviette

It aint posh, its just good manners.

Same as please & fank you, costs nuffink!

& "Pardon me" after passing wind.

Basic good manners aint it!

I was brought up to say 'pardon' politely by my (northern, working-class-rhymes-with-lass) mum and 'what?' politely by my posher, southern Dad.

Now I just say 'sorry, I didn't catch that'.

I love it when people tell me I do something because I think it's posh. Of course I do...

OP, as with so much in this country, it's a class thing. 'What?' is working class and upper-class. 'Pardon?' is one of THE main lower-middle-class shibboleths, and marks you out as as aspirational LMC. Considered a worse word than 'fuck' by class-conscious middle-middle class and above people.

Personally, I hate 'pardon', but then I am a prole. It goes with doilies for me. A Hyacinth Bucket word.

As long as you don't say 'Say again' I don't mind. 'Say again' really winds me up and makes me feel like punching someone. No idea why.

"Sorry, what was that?" will cover all eventualities.

You'll be fine as long as you don't say "excuse me" with out a "please"

Yeah, or "with respect." In the US "with respect" means literally "with respect" as in, "I respect you and in that context I'll put forward a differing view."

Went down great the first time I said it here. Wanh-wa-a-anh.

with respect is like i don't mean to be rude but... or no offence but

It always means the opposite.

Yeah there's no "but" in it, in American English.

Yet there is here! A silent "but."

Okay but don't get mad if someone says it to you in the US!

I can't bring myself to say "toilet" because toilet. To my ear if I say, "I need to use the toilet," I might as well say, "I need to take a dump." So I actually say restroom in public and bathroom at home. I know.

I was taught "what?" is rude. Consequently I would never say it in a more formal surrounding (eg to a colleague). Coming to think of it I tend to say "Sorry?" even to dh. I was aware I said "What?" quite a lot to dd (who is pretty incomprehensible!) and have started saying "Pardon?" instead. She also says "Parn-me!" when she's farted, which I think is quite well mannered for 18mo!

I honestly don't get what is wrong with 'pardon'. This is something I only ever see on MN!

I am most definitely working class and had it drilled into me by my mum 'don't say what say pardon'. The word 'what?' would always sound rude to me, even if the queen said it!

It's just like the whole lunch/dinner/tea debate all over again

I honestly don't get what is wrong with 'pardon'. This is something I only ever see on MN!

I am most definitely working class and had it drilled into me by my mum 'don't say what say pardon'. The word 'what?' would always sound rude to me, even if the queen said it!

It's just like the whole lunch/dinner/tea debate all over again

Pardon isn't wrong but it doesn't always fit, if you call a childs name from downstairs it's going to sound odd if they call back 'Pardon' but 'What' does sound rude, a simple 'Yes' will do me

I hate 'pardon' I think it's very oikish - right up there with saying 'manners' after belching.

Pardon is cringeworthy hyacinth bucket doilies lower middle. I have taught mine never to say it I hate it!

As a general rule any French words used in English language are considered naff: toilet, pardon, serviette etc

I have to grit teeth when mil corrects my girls and insisted on pardon

If I stand on a persons toe or pass by them too close, I go 'pardon me...' I am not posh - let me be clear - I swear like a trucker, I have the manners of a pig and I give not a toss what others think of me when I run down my drive in my Pj's, sling my slack arse in the car and go pick up a dc from an activity. So... Pardon me and Pardon..? If you didn't hear something is not posh. I do both all the time.

With respect... Now that's asking for a thump because it totally means the opposite - you may as well just say, 'I have no respect for what you just said, in fact, you're a fuckwit'

I was brought up to say pardon. Not posh at all btw far from it! Lol but now I say "sorry". I think "what" can sound quite rude depending on the tone

I've always been taught that what is rude and you should say pardon.

I never say pardon. I always say what? Huh? Sorry? My mother in law still slags me off for saying what and says it's obviously where the kids get it from!

Why on earth would you shout downstairs, 'pardon?' When somebody has just called you? I don't get that one?? You are not then saying you didn't hear them, you are asking what they want? So its, 'What?'
Oikish