Things you really wish people wouldn't say

Ooh, I don't agree.  It's perfectly fine to reply 'Fine, how are you?' or just 'I'm fine, thanks' when someone says 'How are you?'  which actually are proper answers to the question. 

Where I come from the appropriate response is 'fineanchue'  That's how we recognize flatlanders.  

Where I come from the appropriate response is 'fineanchue'  That's how we recognize flatlanders. 

Hee!  I'm a real flatlander!

Hee!  I'm a real flatlander!

You are indeed.  I still like you though.

Common is meant to cover everyone who isn't royalty or nobility. 

no it isn't.

You are indeed.  I still like you though.

Yay! 

no it isn't.

Care to show the proper definition then?

Common is meant to cover everyone who isn't royalty or nobility.  I don't use either term in a derogatory way.

That's "commoner". It is a technical term, it just means "not noble or royal" and carries no implication of uncouthness or ill-breeding. I don't think you got the point I made about my mother. "Common" is a word used by petit-bourgeois and upper working class people about those they see as "below"  them. It is rapidly dying out.

Incidentally, a good way to wind up Americans is to pull their chains about class, e.g. "I couldn't go out with Mary; she's too common." Never fails.
 

Care to show the proper definition then?

http://www.chambersharrap.co.uk/chambers/features/chref/chref.py/main?query=common&title=21st

"Not royalty" was probably the primary meaning 200 years ago but common* usage has changed, as these things are wont to do.

Nowadays, in this context, it means pretty much exactly the same as the American "low class."  Or number 6 in the Chambers definitions:

6 derog lacking taste or refinement; vulgar.

*slight pun intended.

That's "commoner". It is a technical term, and carries no implication of uncouthness or ill-breeding. I don't think you got the point I made about my mother. "Common" is a word used by petit-bourgeois and upper working class people about those they see as "below"  them. It is rapidly dying out.

Thanks Contrex.
I was just about to point out that 'common' and 'commoner' are not the same thing.

It is rapidly dying out.

 

I wouldn't be too sure of that.  I work with working class people and they use it quite a bit.  I'd actually never heard it used in real life till I started that job. 

I wouldn't be too sure of that.  I work with working class people and they use it quite a bit.  I'd actually never heard it used in real life till I started that job. 

I guess I no longer mix with the type of people that would use the word, then.

"Common" is a word used by petit-bourgeois and upper working class people about those they see as "below"  them.

Rather like Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet" you know!).

Rather like Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet" you know!).

I expect you're too young to remember "Meet The Wife" starring Thora Hird and Freddie Frinton?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_the_Wife

I guess I no longer mix with the type of people that would use the word, then.

They're still out there.

They're still out there.

I'm one, I'm afraid. I find the word "common" to be really useful. It has nothing to do with the class system at all. It's just a word used to describe people who chew gum loudly or who wear tops that show their midriff.