There are plenty of advantages to being royal (we assume).
Loads of cash; nice clothes; palaces, ponies, and crowns.
And if you’re a British royal – you’re also mega famous too (the Americans adore them in particular).
However, it seems there are some downsides; namely that there are eight everyday words that you’re not supposed to say.
So says Kate Fox, a social anthropologist and author of Watching The English: The Hidden Rules Of English Behaviour. Here’s her list – lest you ever find yourself in the company of royalty…
1. Toilet
There is no such thing as a toilet. Or a bathroom for that matter. Popping off to ‘the ladies’ is out too. Yup, if you’re a princess, duchess, or similar – you head to the ‘lavatory’. Noted.
2. Pardon
We thought ‘pardon’ was the polite version of ‘sorry, I didn’t catch that, love’ but apparently not. In fact, Prince Wills et al would say ‘what’ if they missed something you said. Yup, we’re confused too…
3. Couch
It’s a sofa, dahling!’ And don’t even think of mentioning a ‘settee’.
4. Living room
Living rooms and lounges are not to be uttered. In Buckingham Palace you would retire to the ‘drawing room’ or alternatively a ‘sitting room’. We assume ‘man caves’ are also a no-no.
5. Dad
It’s ‘mummy and daddy’ rather than ‘mum and dad’. Ma and da we reckon wouldn’t cut it either.
6. Perfume
Princess Diana was all about her ‘signature scent’ (Quelques Fleurs, in case you’re wondering) but ‘perfume’ would not have been mentioned.
7. Patio
It’s a terrace, please.
8. Posh
We feel pretty posh coming to the end of this list – but that’s not a word that any upper-class type would use. Those sorts would opt for phrases such as ‘smart’ in lieu of ‘posh’.
