Upper Classes | Lower Classes | Victorian Advertising Slogans

Upper Classes:

Vowel sounds:

1. "a" is pronounced "aw," as in awful. Example: ask, answer, half, bath, can't, demand, master, France.
2. "u" is pronounced "oo," as in boot. Example: duke, duty, news, tune, stupid, student

Consonant sounds:

1. "r" at the beginning or middle of a word is rolled or flipped. Example: randy, rabbit, paltry, rose, red, terrible, Mary
2. "r" at the end of a word is dropped. Example: park = pawk, father = fatha
3. "t" and "h" are pronounced normally, not changed as in Cockney phrasing.

Sentences for the genteel:

• A very happy Christmas, Madame, how can I be of assistance?
• Good morning, Good Sir, and how may I serve you this day?
• I trust that you've found everything to your liking?
• If there is anything I can do to assist you in any way, do not hesitate to ask.
• Please, feel free to browse about and peruse our merchandise.
• Have a Happy Christmas and a very merry New Year!

Note: A nod of the head shows respect for your customers.

Useful short phrases for middle or upper class characters:

• Compliments of the season!
• Most excellent (as in "a most excellent fowl," "a most excellent evening")
• Good riddance to bad rubbish.
• As good as gold and as true as steel.
• This is most irregular.
• We had the most agreeable things to eat for tea.
• I shan't think such things.
• I daren't go out at night with these ruffians.
• Stuff and nonsense, oh fiddlesticks!

Replacements:

• Money – farthings, ha'penny, sixpence, shilling, half-a crown, pound sterling, sovereign, guinea
• Candy – sweets, confectionary
• Bathroom – water closet
• Pants – trousers
• Lawyer – barrister, solicitor
• See – try ("Let's try how this works.")

Thoughtful thanks and pardons:

• I beg your acceptance of my very hearty thanks.
• I have great pleasure in being useful to you.
• I thank you for your kind inquiries.
• Why, the pleasure is all mine, I assure you.
• Pray do not mention it, it's of no consequence.
• You are most kind.
• Permit me to thank you.
• I thank you for the compliment.
• My dear, you look radiant.
• A thousand pardons.

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Lower Classes (Cockney Language)

Vowel sounds:

1. "a" is pronounced brightly as in hat. Example: can, ant, pan
2. "o" and "u" are pronounced darkly as in off. Example: doff, often, cup, sup

Consonant sounds:

1. "tt" in the middle of the word is glottal stopped. Example: Lit'le, pret'y
2. "h" is dropped at the beginning of words. Example: 'appy, 'eart, 'ead, 'ome, 'opeful
3. "h" is added to the beginning of words that start with a vowel. Example: hangel, hexample, hestraordinary
4. "th" in the middle of a word is pronounced as an "f" or "v." Example: somfing, muver, anyfing
5. "g" at the end of "ing" words is dropped or changed to a "k." Example: walkin', runnin', feelin', anyfink, thinkink, tryink.

Some useful phrases:

• 'appy Christmas, Gov'ner. 'ow can I be of hassistance?
• A lovely day, ain't it? 'ow's the misses and those lit'le ones?
• Look about, look about and if you sees somfing you like, just give a nod.
• Oo, your Lordship, what brings you 'ere? 'as somfing caught you eye?
• Now, your Ladyship, you 'ave a 'appy Christmas and a merry New Year.

Note: Men should doff their hats to ladies and their betters; women should bob a quick curtsy to gentlemen and their betters.

Replacements:

• In yer eye! – Are you kidding?
• Cove/tuff/swell/guv'ner – Gentleman
• Crusher/bobby/peeler – Policeman
• Chimbley – Chimney
• Rhino/tin/scratch – Money
• Humbug – Nonsense
• Get stuffed – Get lost
• Get your collar felt – Arrested
• A stunner/a looker – A beauty
• Precious – Very, whole, real
• Prime – Great
• I does – I do
• Stone Jug/clink – Prison
• Nipper – Child
• Me uncle's – Pawn shop
• Cracked-up – Penniless
• Jaw breakers – Long words
• Flog it off – Sell it
• I is – I am
• Rum – Strange

Other phrases:

• She's a dear old fing.
• I'm in sommat reduced circumstances.
• Look sharp.
• Jolly good.
• 'Ow cheeky of 'er!
• We're done for!
• I'll take the lot.
• I can't afford 'em, they're too dear.
• All hat one go.
• Worse luck.
• There's a love.

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Victorian Advertising Slogans:

• "As sold at exhibitions"
• "A world-wide necessity"
• "Has risen into favor by its merits alone"
• "Unsurpassed for purity and delicacy of flavor" (food)
• "Close personal attention assured"
• "Handsome and useful presents"
• "Sold at prices which will bear comparison with any other stores"
• "Specially selected for purity of style and quality and will be found to harmonize with the prevailing taste"
• "See our selection before making purchases elsewhere"
• "For the convenience of country customers orders will be taken"
• "Well known and appreciated in almost every household throughout the land"
• "The proprietor begs to draw attention to . . . "
• "Style, durability, and accurate fit guaranteed"
• "No effort spared to place before our customers the newest and most fashionable production as each season approaches"
• "Special orders executed with the utmost dispatch"
• "Accuracy and dispatch may be relied upon, all items being sent by express tricycles and special messengers, at frequent intervals"
• "Confidently recommended"
• "The celebrated ________________"
• "Not to be confused with ______________"
• "The best and cheapest"