...new research suggests different social classes have stopped using different words for the thing we sit on in front of the television. The non-U (U as in upper class) “settee” is dying out and we all mostly say “sofa”. Then there’s the other thing we all sit on: we call it the loo or toilet indiscriminately now, irrespective of where we went to school.
Truly, we live in an egalitarian society! But who on earth cares about such things these days, anyway?
The giant pit of words that is the internet means we live radically less linguistically siloed lives, too. Perhaps this study will finally bury U and non-U. Of course, it won’t stop us judging each other based on how we talk; plenty of words and phrases make me clutch my pearls in horror. I have started compiling a list of my most irredeemable for 2024: Substack, sleepmaxxing, fridgescape, “passionate about content creation” and microbiome.
Over to you, Reader, what are your personal bugbears?
When I met my wife 24 years ago, she said couch and I said settee, but couch has since stuck with both of us.
ReplyDeleteThe loo has been the bog my entire life tough
My personal bugbears are 'Kiddos', 'Doggos' and 'Holibobs'. Anyone who uses those gets immediately excised from my life, with no second chances
Ugh, with you on 'Holibobs'!
DeleteFrom the cats' point of view, in our humble abode, settee = sofa= scratching post. Creeping americanisms used by those who watch too much TV and film really grate. The worst example is "gotten", followed by "can I get" at a fast food counter. The most juvenile example, which really makes me squirm, is police farces which have replaced "SOCOs" with "CSIs" to mirror the US TV series. A further hint to British screenwriters is that British vehicles have number plates, not 4king licence plates.
ReplyDeleteRant over until the next time . . .
I suppose it was inevitable, with our urban yoof consistently referring to them as 'feds'...
DeleteThere is so much to dislike, mostly Americanisms. However in the world of political speak I am always wary of anyone who claims 'solidarity' unless it it used ironically or sarcastically.
ReplyDeleteGood catch! It usually means the exact opposite!
DeleteI try not to get too hung up about changes in language, it is normal and is also inevitable getting angry about it just makes you a modern day Cnut. I sort of agree about holibobs though, that's not language evolving, that's just twattery. I admit that I also get slightly irked about things being given away for free. Not for free you idiot, just free, given away free!
ReplyDeleteSolidarity!
DeleteI don't need to hear someone speak to judge them: shell suit or Barbour. As Alan Clark said of Michael Heseltine, "An arriviste...bought all his own furniture".
ReplyDeleteDryrobes are an interesting phenomenon. Loved by triathletes, runners and people who like open water swimming, they are quite pricey. But they seem to have caught on with plebs who like to go shopping in their pyjamas because they can't be arsed to get dressed in the morning.
DeleteI had to look up 'dryrobe'!
DeleteCrimbo.
ReplyDeleteOooh, yes! 😤
DeleteWhen I want to needle my neighbour I say luncheon, supper and rolls where as he says dinner, tea and buns.
ReplyDeleteIt's lunch and dinner here!
ReplyDelete