Word choices that suggest class in USA

[Wiglaf]

I mentioned to my daughter that the language in our house is different than what I grew up using. She said that the internet claimed that my words were higher class. I thought that the only differences were age and region. Are there differences amongst classes in America, and if so, are there any references as to what they would be? It could be useful information for creating a character's dialogue.

 

[Cathbad]

Besides haughty?

 

[goldhawk]

Upper class: bologna
Everyone else: baloney

Where did you daughter search these words? It would be interest to know who decided what was upper class.

 

[Wiglaf]

Was thinking more sofa vs couch or soiree vs hootenanny, wisenheimer.

 

[Wiglaf]

Upper class: bologna
Everyone else: baloney

Where did you daughter search these words? It would be interest to know who decided what was upper class.

I suspect it was based upon British usage; I have never seen anything based upon US usage.
Sofa, supper, -ING not -in' -- I don't know what else.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I'm not sure I'm clear on what you're after but I have a comment on how I hear 'class' and 'classy' or 'classless' used in countless US programmes, especially ones like Real Housewives (guilty pleasure).

Someone will be berated for doing something that was not classy intimating that the accuser is 'classy' always makes me think 'We'd never say that in the UK' because apart from our own class guilt, to even mention it is 'unclassy'. I cringe every time I hear this accusation. To a certain extent they also use the word 'tacky' as an antonym.

Hope that makes sense.

pH

 

[Toby Frost]

In Britain in the grim and impoverished 1950s, articles were written about the vocabulary of upper and middle class people, referred to as "U and non-U", and how to tell them apart. Some of the words are completely random ("loo" is upper class, "toilet" is middle class) and, I suspect, created to catch people out so they could be put down (from the list that Wikipedia gives, my own speech is about 50-50). I'm glad to say that it has faded away except for a few crackpots. I don't know if there is a modern or specifically American equivalent.

U and non-U English - Wikipedia

 

[Wiglaf]

The US has regional differences such as soda vs pop. I was wondering if the US also had class differences in word choice like the UK supposedly does.

 

[Cathbad]

Couch and sofa are (or were) regional, too. First time I heard sofa used (very young) I wasn't sure I knew the meaning - save the context.

My parents were both children of Kentucky tobacco farmers. All of my family members seemed to use "couch". It was when we moved to Florida that I first heard the word "sofa". Now, with all the interspersing of peoples in the USA (migrations north/south, city/country), that and other words seem used in tandem. I don't think they can be considered "regional" anymore.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Couch and sofa are (or were) regional, too. First time I heard sofa used (very young) I wasn't sure I knew the meaning - save the context.

My parents were both children of Kentucky tobacco farmers. All of my family members seemed to use "couch". It was when we moved to Florida that I first heard the word "sofa". Now, with all the interspersing of peoples in the USA (migrations north/south, city/country), that and other words seem used in tandem. I don't think they can be considered "regional" anymore.

Interesting! Do you ever use the term settee?

pH

 

[Cathbad]

Interesting! Do you ever use the term settee?

pH

Not on purpose!

 

[Phyrebrat]

I always knew you were a haughty one

pH

 

[Vladd67]

Oddly I grew up saying settee, but now say sofa.

 

[Vladd67]

Oddly I grew up saying settee, but now say sofa.

Looking at the list of U and Non U words @Toby Frost mentioned I see it mentions Graveyard and Cemetery, now I always thought that it was a graveyard if attached to a church and cemetery if on its own.

 

[Cathbad]

Oddly I grew up saying settee, but now say sofa.

One of my grandmothers always used "davenport".

 

[Vladd67]

Sounds like a butler was she from Massachusetts?

 

[Cathbad]

Sounds like a butler was she from Massachusetts?

Illinois.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Looking at the list of U and Non U words @Toby Frost mentioned I see it mentions Graveyard and Cemetery, now I always thought that it was a graveyard if attached to a church and cemetery if on its own.

I agree. This is certainly the case I was taught growing up. I used to get told off for calling a cemetery a graveyard.

Odd, because usually English language follows such uniform rules...

pH

 

[R.T James]

Where I grew up anybody with class didn't deal with us peasents and laughed in our faces.

I may or have not punched the mayor's son in the face during highschool.

In the cities those of "class" are established entirely by vernacular. You had various forms of arguable Ebonics, mixed languages, and as you went up more towards the college educated families the hauntiness rose up.

Those people had a tendency to put you down for not doing enough for X Y and Z

Then you had those who were politicians kids. They acted like we should kiss the ground they walk on.

And then you had me. Family from the east coast, born in the south, and I actually read books. I am a was very blunt person. People thought I was the son of a mob boss with the way I spoke.

For example one haunty kid.

"Ah, I am thinking you should try it some time," He said to me with a slight snort and his eyes lit up at his own brilliance.

"Oh, I am," I said while establishing direct eye contact and making him very self aware he was by a window.

Where I grew up it was oblivious who was who, what was what.

Hilariously the haunty people used many food words to show how cultured they are.

Whilst the politicians kids were too busy buying cocaine and X to converse with mere peasants!

My favourite line spoken by people is.

"Do you know who I am?"

Because at that point you can prove just how high they think of themselves and little you do of them!

Favourite low class word I've heard is "calculumator"

As in:

"Damn gurl, hand me dat calculumator. You know I don't do math well gurl."

Actual conversation I overheard.

 

[Dave]

I'm not sure I agree with most of that Wikipedia list. Many of the words seem to be more regional differences. Many words I would have placed in the opposite way around. "Drawing-room" versus "Lounge;" my family would use "Front Room," but I've also heard "Parlour" used in older northern families, but very little to do with 'class'.