Etymology

non-U

Today it means: Not U; not characteristic of the upper classes, particularly regarding language. Full definition →

First used 1954
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The story

From non- + U (“characteristic of the upper classes”), coined by British linguist Alan S. C. Ross (1907–1980) in an article in 1954, and popularized by the English journalist and writer Nancy Mitford (1904–1973).

First known use, by meaning

  • from 1954 Not U; not characteristic of the upper classes, particularly regarding language.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.