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What or Pardon-Neither!!!!

(134 Posts)
trisher Tue 14-Jul-15 10:59:45

There's a Gransnet poll on facebook asking would you say "What" or "Pardon". I'm sorry but if you said "Pardon" when I was growing up you would be answered by "Why? What have you done?" Pardon is used to apologise when you have done something socially unacceptable. "What" is plain rude. The correct form of speech if you don't hear is "Excuse me I didn't hear." or "I'm sorry I didn't hear". Come on Gransnet get someone who at least knows how to use language. What really surprised me was 74% said they would say "Pardon" Really!!!

cupcake1 Sat 18-Jul-15 18:58:10

Pardon every time! I cannot believe some of the comments made by other Gransnetters! I do say Sorry with an enquiring look on some occasions but What- never ! Rude rude rude and if someone was to say that to me I would ignore them completely and would certainly not repeat myself!!

Roxannediane Fri 17-Jul-15 21:34:47

I was taught to say 'what' by a very grammatically correct English teacher at a grammar school in the 60's!!
She commented that common people (the hoi poloi) said 'pardon'!!
Reminds me of the toilet and lavatory debate! Thankfully someone invented the loo!!!

graninthemist Fri 17-Jul-15 16:41:53

What??

Conni7 Fri 17-Jul-15 16:16:27

Wouldn't use either! I just say "Sorry" and people seem to understand.

thatbags Fri 17-Jul-15 14:55:35

Ah! Thanks, trisher.

trisher Fri 17-Jul-15 14:49:21

Comedy show on TV- Miranda Hart. She has a very posh friend who is always answering her mobile and telling the others-"bear with, bear with"

thatbags Fri 17-Jul-15 14:25:05

PS What is Miranda, please?

thatbags Fri 17-Jul-15 14:24:44

There are no 'shoulds' about what words to use when you didn't hear something, except that one should be polite. If one's manner is not impolite then whatever one says is not impolite. This principle is really quite simple. I don't understand why so many people seem to think the words matter more than the manner.

trisher Fri 17-Jul-15 13:52:27

"Say again" definitely sounds "Miranda" jbf along with "bear with".

seadragon Fri 17-Jul-15 13:26:16

Sorry - I usually say 'Sorry?' if not 'Say again?'; both with an interrogative lilt Interested to learn latter is a military phrase. I come from a Naval family.

June

Ana Fri 17-Jul-15 13:03:10

I always thought you should say 'Pardon me' if you farted or burped, as an apology.

Nelliemoser Fri 17-Jul-15 12:57:57

I always though that "Pardon" was what you said when your trumped or burped as it was apologising for being unpleasant.
(My little DGS clearly has no manners he just giggles.)

If you cannot hear what someone has said it should be I am sorry I cannot hear you or I didn't catch that.

thatbags Thu 16-Jul-15 21:51:27

wink

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 16-Jul-15 21:50:42

don't we know it

grin

thatbags Thu 16-Jul-15 21:48:15

I'm good at weird. #bagsspeciality

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 16-Jul-15 21:10:06

I hate that grin. hmm

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 16-Jul-15 21:09:15

and don't you bloody get on my back. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 16-Jul-15 21:08:29

I think "say again" is downright weird.

So there.

Ana Thu 16-Jul-15 20:52:26

smile

thatbags Thu 16-Jul-15 20:50:57

We're just enjoying the ride, ana. Giddy up there! wink

Ana Thu 16-Jul-15 20:50:02

Yes I know that, gracesgran. smile

I just don't like it.

#getoffmyback

thatbags Thu 16-Jul-15 20:47:40

However, nobody has to say it who doesn't want to. You can stick with Yer what? or whatever your preferred phrase is smile

thatbags Thu 16-Jul-15 20:46:35

Yes, an enquiring tone is quite different from a commanding one.

Gracesgran Thu 16-Jul-15 20:44:43

It just needs a little upwards inflection at the end Ana and a half smile. smile

Ana Thu 16-Jul-15 19:41:17

thatbags, of course I can, but that's just it - I wouldn't want to say it because it sounds like a command rather than a request.

Obviously I'm on my own on this one! smile