Skip to Content

16 Words the Royal Family Never Uses

Being a royal is more than tiaras and the perfect wave. You need to speak the part before you can act the part.

By and
Facial expression, Gesture, Event, Suit, Finger, White-collar worker, Businessperson, Formal wear, Hand, Smile,
Getty Images

Living like royalty is no easy task. Besides curtsies and fancy hats, the upper echelons of British society adopt a very specific vocabulary — a secret code, if you will. A slip of the tongue can instantly reveal some not-so-noble origins, according to Kate Fox, a social anthropologist and author of Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behavior. ($15, amazon.com)

1

Dad

Event, Official, Military officer, Military rank,
Getty Images

Your average Brit calls their parents "mum" and "dad." But like any self-respecting royal, Prince Charles referred to the Queen as "Mummy" during her Diamond Jubilee celebration. That makes Prince Philip "Daddy," of course.

2

Posh

Carriage, Vehicle, Tradition, Event, Phaeton, Ceremony, Horse and buggy, Costume, Horse, Horse harness,
Getty Images

If learning all of these subtleties makes you feel "posh," stop right there. "The correct upper-class word is 'smart,'" Fox says. "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." Righttt, we totally knew that.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Afternoon (or High) Tea

Headgear, Hat,
Getty Images

Tea time has been a British tradition for centuries, but the royals just call it supper. For the queen and co., tea is just the hot beverage they sip (but never slurp.)

4

Dinner

Event, Function hall, Choir, Banquet, Ceremony,
Getty Images

There’s no such thing as a casual meal at Buckingham Palace. The royals only use the term “dinner” to refer to an event with formal invitations. The meal we Americans call dinner is just supper across the pond.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Function

Event, Community, Adaptation, Conversation, Gesture, Ceremony,
Getty Images

The British classes have different words for social gatherings: Lower classes attend a “do," the middle class attends a “function," but the royal family lean toward the more common American term known as a “party.”

6

Couch

People, Event, Classic, Vintage clothing, Family, Stage,
Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth can spend a lazy day on the "sofa," but HRH wouldn't be caught dead on a "settee" or "couch."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Living Room

Furniture, Room, Table, Classic, Games, Interior design, Building, Chair,
Getty Images

As for rooms with a sofa, Buckingham Palace likely includes "drawing rooms" and "sitting rooms," but not "lounges," "dens" or comfy, ol' "living rooms."

8

Patio

Photograph, White, Ceremony, Wedding dress, Dress, Event, Wedding, Bridal clothing, Backyard, Footwear,
Getty Images

If Prince George and Princess Charlotte want to go outside, their parents would take them to the "terrace," not a "patio."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Refreshment

Event, Uniform, Wind instrument,
Getty Images

It might seem proper to ask for a refreshment when you’re feeling peckish or thirsty, but the royals put it simply as “food and drink.”

10

Dessert

Event, Fun, White-collar worker, Ceremony, Party, Conversation,
Getty Images

No matter what you might be craving to get your sugar fix, dessert in the Palace is known simply as "pudding."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Portion

Food, Dish, Cuisine, Seafood, Ritual, Meal, Flesh,
Getty Images

Anyone hoping to score a second plate of food at a banquet with the royal family should know how to ask for it. The proper way to ask for another portion is to call it a "helping."

12

Nice Seeing You

Tradition, Event, Ritual, Ceremony,
Getty Images

Pleasantries are for commoners. The royal family ends their conversations just saying "goodbye." It's not very regal to sprinkle on additional phrases like "nice seeing you" or something similar.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Cheers

Bar, Barware, Bartender, Liqueur, Drink, Alcohol, Distilled beverage, Beer tap, Pub,
Getty Images

Clinking glasses with a simple “cheers” is not the way it’s done at a royal party. Formal toasts are a must.

14

Toilet

Fashion accessory, Jewellery, Crown,
Getty Images

When it's time to go, head to the "lavatory," advises royal etiquette expert Myka Meier. The Duchess would never excuse herself to the "toilet," "bathroom" or even "ladies."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Perfume

Perfume, Material property, Cosmetics, Fashion accessory,
Getty Images

Diana, Princess of Wales, loved to wear a signature "scent" (Quelques Fleurs, to be exact) but she didn't dab on "perfume."

16

Pardon

Nose, Gesture, Event, Businessperson, White-collar worker, Suit,
Getty Images

If Prince William missed what you said, he'd interject with a "what?" Words such as "sorry" and "pardon" don't see much use among the upper class, no matter how polite they sound.

Watch Next 
preview for Watch Our Newest Videos
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below