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Sailsofoblivion Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

Word Choice

I was just wondering, if a piece of fiction has a relatively old-fashioned tone (though no dates are actually given to root it in any particular period in time) would calling a character a gentleman imply that he is middle/upper class?

I'm aware that it would be OK if it was in reference to, for example, him opening a door for another person etc, but in this context, given the surrounding language, would most people assume it relates to class? If so, does "elderly man" work OK?

"An elderly man wandered through a dim close in Edinburgh’s old town, the discord in his mind reflected in his staggered movement."
  

Top answer

sailsofoblivion I was just wondering, if a piece of fiction has a relatively old-fashioned tone (though no dates are actually given to root it in any particular period in time) would calling a character a gentleman imply that he is middle/upper class? Probably. " "elderly man" is fine, but "staggered movement" does not sound right.

— GPY

  • sailsofoblivion I was just wondering, if a piece of fiction has a relatively old-fashioned tone (though no dates are actually given to root it in any particular period in time) would calling a character a gentleman imply that he is middle/upper class?
  • Probably.
  • " "elderly man" is fine, but "staggered movement" does not sound right.
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1 Answers
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sailsofoblivionI was just wondering, if a piece of fiction has a relatively old-fashioned tone (though no dates are actually given to root it in any particular period in time) would calling a character a gentleman imply that he is middle/upper class?
Probably.
sailsofoblivion"An elderly man wandered through a dim close in Ed
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