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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ownedbybear, post: 3623061, member: 29&quot;]Ah, non U. It means a word or practice that was rather lower or even middle class rather than upper class. Often pretentious words. cf John Betjeman, who I shall post below. </p><p><br /></p><p>Toilet is non U, loo and lavatory and even bog are fine. My rather Edwardian grandmama, for she was such a woman, spoke of looking glasses rather than mirrors, and we never ever talked of serviettes, but aways napkins. Knaves in packs of cards, never a jack. And lounge as a word for a room was unspeakable. Fish knives are naff, as is cutting a bread roll, one tears it. Eat asparagus with your fingers of course. </p><p><br /></p><p>I still cannot use some terms wrongly, and that includes the fine distinctions&nbsp; between dessert and pudding. The use of sweets to mean such things is a sin. </p><p><br /></p><p>This is a joy. </p><p><br /></p><p>How To Get On In Society by John Betjeman</p><p><br /></p><p>Phone for the fish knives, Norman</p><p>As cook is a little unnerved;</p><p>You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes</p><p>And I must have things daintily served.</p><p><br /></p><p>Are the requisites all in the toilet?</p><p>The frills round the cutlets can wait</p><p>Till the girl has replenished the cruets</p><p>And switched on the logs in the grate.</p><p><br /></p><p>It&#039;s ever so close in the lounge dear,</p><p>But the vestibule&#039;s comfy for tea</p><p>And Howard is riding on horseback</p><p>So do come and take some with me</p><p><br /></p><p>Now here is a fork for your pastries</p><p>And do use the couch for your feet;</p><p>I know that I wanted to ask you-</p><p>Is trifle sufficient for sweet?</p><p><br /></p><p>Milk and then just as it comes dear?</p><p>I&#039;m afraid the preserve&#039;s full of stones;</p><p>Beg pardon, I&#039;m soiling the doileys</p><p>With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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