The royal family is an almost 1000-year institution which prides itself on tradition and continuance.
In order for that to happen, hundreds of rules and customs must be followed by every member of the family, some of which are just plain silly.
These rules even extend to the language they use when they speak.
While many of the words are custom for any upper to middle-class household, some are unique to the royals.
READ MORE: 13 everyday words the royals are banned from using – and some are just silly
But one word jumps out because of the unbelievable irony that comes with it. It would seem that the ‘poshest’ family in the world don’t say the word ‘posh’.
What ironic word do the royals not say?
(Image: PA/PA Wire)
Talk about ironic.
For want of a written rule… what is the first rule of being posh? Never referring to yourself, or someone else, as ‘posh’. You instead say they are ‘smart’.
According to ‘Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour’ author Kate Fox and royal etiquette expert Myka Meier, this word is a big no-no when it comes to life inside the palace.
They explain: “The correct upper-class word is ‘smart’,” according to Fox.
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“In upper-middle and upper-class circles, ‘posh’ can only be used ironically, in a jokey tone, to show that you know it’s a low-class word.”
Other everyday words forbidden in the royal family include, ‘function’, ‘toilet’, ‘living room’ and even ‘pregnant’. The Queen apparently believes it is vulgar to say the word ‘pregnant’, instead preferring to say the woman is ‘in a family way’.
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