To want to find a good put down for this behaviour?

[TrainsandDiggers]

So my MIL CONSTANTLY picks me up on the way I say and pronounce things. I have a slightly different accent to hers (one that she considers inferior to hers), but she openly laughs at me sometimes and keeps repeating how I have said something, encouraging others to join in. At other times she will correct me mid-sentence (e.g. Me: “I’ll just have a glass of lemonade”, MIL: “glaarss”). Other times she will correct me in ways that I think she’s actually wrong (e.g. “steer-roid” instead of “steroid”). And sometimes she pretends she literally cannot understand what I’m saying (e.g. “Santa?? Santa?? ...Oh! You mean Father Christmas!”) Grrr!!

I find it infuriating, rude and patronising, but it always takes me aback in the moment so I just laugh at myself, apologise or correct myself to her way of saying things.

Any better comebacks MNetters?!

I would smile and look thoughtful then say, “it’s funny isn’t it. I was always brought up to believe it was rude to correct or imitate someone’s accent! But I guess things change, or are different for different families, right?” Then look as though you genuinely find this fascinating, whilst having subtly planted the idea that she’s actually being really uncouth. But then perhaps I’m a master of pathetic passive aggression!

@Eolian
*Do it back to her. "Did you say 'steeroid'?! grin How funny

Just tell her it’s very non-U to ‘correct’ other people.

I agree with just pulling mil up on it. ‘I’m happy with the way I speak so please stop with your comments’

You’ll probably only need to say it once but be prepared to repeat it a few times. It’s possible she’ll take offence and flounce, as this type can dish it out but can’t take it. Don’t apologise if she gets upset because she’s been very rude to you for quite a while.

I had to do something similar a long time ago, but it made the comments stop once I stood up for myself. Does your DH stick up for you or will he not want to get involved?