English

Alternative forms

• king's English

Noun

King's English ‎(uncountable)

1. (often preceded by the) Especially in England, spoken or written English which is standard, characterised by grammatical correctness, proper usage of words and expressions, and (when spoken) formal British pronunciation.
   • 1823, James Fenimore Cooper, The Pioneers, ch. 13:

     "Spake it out, man," exclaimed the landlady; "spake it out in king's English; what for should ye be talking Indian in a room full of Christian folks?"

   • 1921, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Efficiency Expert, ch. 14:

     I venture to say that in a fifteen-minute conversation he would commit more horrible crimes against the king's English than even that new stable-boy of yours.

   • 2006, James Gleick, "Cyber-Neologoliferation," New York Times, 5 Nov. (retrieved 15 Aug. 2010):

     The O.E.D. is unlike any other dictionary. . . . It wants every word, all the lingo: idioms and euphemisms, sacred or profane, dead or alive, the King’s English or the street’s.

Usage notes

• King's English is used when the reigning monarch is male. When the monarch is female, Queen's English is commonly used instead.

See also

• Queen's English