Moving right along from my terrible blogging schedule, here’s a term that I do not understand at all. I think it may be a hazard of using a Macquarie Dictionary, there’s a bunch of Australian slang that apparently even I, as a native, don’t get.
non-U (adjective) (Colloquial)
“Not appropriate to or characteristic of the upper class.”
At this point, the only connection I see to the upper classes is… maybe the upper classes strut about calling themselves ‘U’ while everyone else is like, “lol no u”, the most eloquent of comebacks. Anyway, research time.
Oh wow, I wasn’t that far off. It’s not an Aussie thing, though, it’s British.
Firstly, typing non-U into Google, or whatever your search engine of choice, will get you a bunch of 10 Words that Prove You’re a Middle Class and Desperate type of results. If you’re keen to be seen as English aristocracy even when you’re really, really not, go see which terms to avoid to keep the facade up a little longer.
From Old Faithful Wikipedia, the terms “U” and “non-U” was coined by a professor of linguistics at the University of Birmingham, Alan S. C. Ross, in his article, Linguistic class-indicators in present day English. Bear in mind that “present day” referred to the 1950s. U stood for unitard upper class while non-U represented the aspiring middle class.
Professor Ross was looking at the differences in pronunciation, writing style and vocabulary between the Us and the non-Us that preferred fancy or fashionable words in their attempt to appear more posh. Ross’ article indicated that the non-U language, while intended to appear refined, was not matched within U circles- the rich folk knew they were rich and that their standing within society remained solid, and therefore they had no need to sound all fancy schmancy. The Us often stuck to the traditional/plain words used by the working class as a consequence.
Ross’ article was published in 1954, and in the same year, author Nancy Mitford poopularised the use of U/non-U terms in her own essay, “The English Aristocracy”. Mitford went a step further and knocked up a glossary of terms used by the upper class. A national debate started and I imagine that a number of previously smug, aspiring types suddenly started to fret about how their schmoozing had really gone down when they scored that invite to Lady Whatsherface’s tea party.
“Could I really have said I was going to use the toilet?!” Glenys sobbed into her hands. “No wonder Norma smirked like that!”
“It’s alright, love, no one would’ve noticed,” Mama said soothingly. “How about a second helping of sweet, would that make you feel better?”
“It’s PUDDING,” Glenys screeched. Flames erupted from her nostrils. Her mother wondered whether the serviettes near her plate would catch alight, and then she realised that she’d spoken aloud. Glenys inched closer, muttering about ‘napkins’ and ‘loos’, and Mama feared that this night would not end well at all.
Hitting in at the height of concern over image, improving oneself and general snobbery, being confronted with non-U vernacular must’ve cut deep for some.
Golly, what an interesting turn this took. 🙂