New British Class System

RobertJunior - Once you have decided whether a person is a Northerner or Southerner, what use can be made of that information?
It is hardly a predictor of intelligence or education.

Okay RobertJunior, someone has to ask. What is MEAT DRAW ?

I got that right. Googled it to make sure. BUT it was not from personal experience, more by deduction.

It could have been from the likelihood that certain sections of the population would say "meat drawer" but that would be daft - wherever you store your meat it is not likely to be in a drawer (well, maybe in the freezer)

So it must be a raffle. Extra protein for the winner.

Does that make me working class for understanding the concept and the attraction of it, or middle class for having the education/logic to work it out?

How does the pronunciation of 'meat draw' differ from that of 'meat drawer'?

There is no R in draw, but in some areas it is common to pronounce W as Whrr.

To pronounce it without the R you keep your lips in W position at the end of the word, and have your tongue further forward than if you are saying R

(vision of all you lot making kissy faces at the screen )

Shock admission - I pronounce them both the same!

So do I ! I am always amused by the offers and requests on Freecycle for a "chest of draws" This happens more often than not.

I only know what a meat draw is because my DS goes to the pub with his water polo mates on a Friday night when there is such a draw, which he has, on several occasions, won!

I knew I would be traditional middle class and of course I am!

Some people add the extra R in the middle and keep their underwear in a knicker drawrer.

Where else would you keep them? But I call it the top drawer.

I've never heard that, Elegran! Sounds like one of my GDs asking whether she's a good 'draw-er'

The cat is out of the bag, a meat draw is just that, a raffle held in working mens clubs ( are there any left) and pubs ( are there any of THEM left) held on a FRiday night. THe prize or prizes are a bag of meat for the weekend. Not to be confused with "Something for the weekend offered to clients in men's barber shops in days of yore
Someone said what was the point of my post? I did post that......-"it was merely an observation with no real life application "

I completed this on behalf of my SiL. He left school age 15/16 with 1 O- level / GCSE in Graphic design /Art. He has had no formal training in anything. He has lived rough & been in nick. However he put that behind him and he has built up a successful business through his hard work and manual labour/craftsmanship and had to call me the other night when my DD was out to check how to spell 'look'. He came out as Established Middle Class.... he was a bit confused as to how he felt as he is proud of what he has done to overcome his past and that he is now able to provide a lovely home for his family but part of the pride is because he sees himself as a working man and not middle class....

Ana There are those who say them the same and those who say them differently - it seems to depend on area. Perhaps those who normally don't add an R notice it being added more than someone who does add it notices when it is there.

IYSWIM

Yes Elegran
I'd have thought I would have noticed, but perhaps no one's ever said it like that when I've been listening!

That'll be it. The words are what you notice.

How about widow and widower. Do you say those the same? Just wondering, because they are the same difference as draw and drawer. Theorising here, but it may be that the single syllable gets lengthened because it feels too short.

Maybe we should move this to Pedants' corner. That should keep everyone profitably occupied for a while. But not me - I really must get on or Monday will see me not ready.

Anyone hear the Now Show today on this subject?

No what were they saying?

Elegran much better if you listen to it in Iplayer, it wouldn't be as funny in print!

I'll do that.