English Explanatory Dictionary

non-U

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Not U; not characteristic of the upper classes, particularly regarding language.

Pronunciation

/nɒnˈjuː/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-non-U.wav /ˈnɑnˈju/

Word forms

non-U

Etymology

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).

Antonyms

U

Derived words

non-U-ness
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