These are the eight words the royals refuse to say ...

Publish Date
Friday, 26 April 2019, 5:29PM

It's no secret the royal family must follow a set of etiquette rules in order to uphold their public image - and the same rules apply to talking.

According to social anthropologist Kate Fox, these are the words that are banned from the monarchy's vocabulary and the surprising reasons why ...

1. Mum and dad

The upper class refer to their parents as "mummy and daddy", which Prince Charles proved when he dubbed the Queen "mummy" in a speech in honour of her Diamond Jubilee.

2. Toilet

According to Fox, this term is detested because of its French origins. The royal family apparently say "loo" or "lavatory" instead. Fox says you should never use the terms "gents", "ladies", "bathroom" or "powder room".

3. Posh

Ironically, this is a word that should never be used by the upper class, says Fox. She says it is used in a jokey manner by upper classes to describe people outside of their circles. Royals use the term "smart" instead.

4. Pardon

Apparently, "pardon" is a curse word in royal circles. Instead, they say "sorry" or, surprisingly, "what".

5. Portions

Describing a serving of food as a "portion" is apparently more commonly used among the lower and middle classes. The royals apparently call it a "helping".

6. Perfume

Those in the upper classes dub it a "scent", not a perfume or fragrance.

7. Lounge

Royals don't have a lounge. They have a "drawing room" or a "sitting room". "Living room" is equally as frowned upon.

8. Dinner or tea

Hailing your evening meal as "tea" is apparently one of the biggest working-class indicators. According to Diply, the higher echelons call this meal "dinner" or "supper".

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