Edwardian Era Etiquette and Slang

In the classic film, “My Fair Lady,” Audrey Hepburn’s “Elizabeth Dolittle” had to learn, among other things, to gain possession of her “H’s” and stop using slang. In one funny scene, her excitement got the best of her, and her slang colorfully flew out of her mouth. 

Shun Slang

Slang is a thing which can be indulged in only by those who are perfectly secure of their social status, though, on the other hand, an over fastidious pronunciation of words and a studious correctness of articulation are apt to suggest the idea that we have only lately come into possession of our “H’s” and our grammar and have, in consequence, to be guarded in our conversation.– Good Form, Riverside Enterprise, 1911

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia