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BarbaraPA Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Plummy
Please, I'm looking for native British speakers, or people who have lived in the UK for a long time. I really don't want to hear what the dictionary says, but how it's used in real life (if it's still used at all).
I'm not even sure it's spelled "plummy" but I know I've heard something like "And he has this plummy accent that just makes us melt."
I though I understood it, but I don't think I do. I thought it meant "rich, upper-class" but is that right?
Thanks
I'm not even sure it's spelled "plummy" but I know I've heard something like "And he has this plummy accent that just makes us melt."
I though I understood it, but I don't think I do. I thought it meant "rich, upper-class" but is that right?
Thanks
Top answer
Hi Batrb, Generally speaking, you're right. I, too, associate the term with 'rich, upper-class', althought these terms are quite simplistic in view of the subtleties of the British class system. It might also be described as a 'fruity' accent.
- Hi Batrb, Generally speaking, you're right.
- I, too, associate the term with 'rich, upper-class', althought these terms are quite simplistic in view of the subtleties of the British class system.
- It might also be described as a 'fruity' accent.
- Then again, these terms may both be rather old-fashioned now.
- Clive
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8 Answers
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Hi Batrb,
Generally speaking, you're right. I, too, associate the term with 'rich, upper-class', althought these terms are quite simplistic in view of the subtleties of the British class system. It might also be described as a 'fruity' accent. Then again, these terms may both be rather old-fashioned now.
Clive
Generally speaking, you're right. I, too, associate the term with 'rich, upper-class', althought these terms are quite simplistic in view of the subtleties of the British class system. It might also be described as a 'fruity' accent. Then again, these terms may both be rather old-fashioned now.
Clive
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Yes; a "plummy accent" is the accent that actors adopt when they want to convey "Edwardian country house in the 1920s".
You do still hear the phrase; I wonder myself whether it's related to e.g. "talks as if he had a plum in his mouth".
MrP
You do still hear the phrase; I wonder myself whether it's related to e.g. "talks as if he had a plum in his mouth".
MrP
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Thank you both. It was good to have my doubts clarified. I wish I were in an Edwardian country house in the 20s, but with my luck, I'd have been the second parlor maid and not the lady of the manor.
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Hi Barb! :-)
If someone has "a plummy accent/voice" this sounds quite negative, i.e. implying that the person is a snob.
However, "plummy" can also have a positive meaning, e.g. If someone has "a plummy job", this means they have a great/really nice job.
Greetings from Holland,
Ann
If someone has "a plummy accent/voice" this sounds quite negative, i.e. implying that the person is a snob.
However, "plummy" can also have a positive meaning, e.g. If someone has "a plummy job", this means they have a great/really nice job.
Greetings from Holland,
Ann
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Greeting TO Holland, Ann. Nice to hear from you! Thanks for the differentiation.
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That's interesting – I'm more used to "a plum job".
(Which does, I admit, sound a little like one of those mysterious services my spam offers me daily.)
MrP
(Which does, I admit, sound a little like one of those mysterious services my spam offers me daily.)
MrP
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Sorry, Mr. P - I didn't realize you'd added to this.
This has been interesting - a plum job is okay but a plummy accent is a snob.
This has been interesting - a plum job is okay but a plummy accent is a snob.
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Is there something a little derogatory about both phrases, though? I'm not sure...
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