When Roman consuls spoke of public issues they did so on behalf of all those with whom they shared power and so they used the plural pronoun we, instead of the singular I.
The first king and monarch to use the “royal we” was Richard I, implying that he was speaking for his subjects as well as himself.
It’s improper for non-royals to use the plural self-reference, so when Margaret Thatcher did it in 1989, we were not amused.
Many fancy politicians use the “royal we” even today as part of their elephant talk.
Related Posts
-
How Long Was the Royal Road to the Sun That The Incas Built?
The Incas lived in the Andes Mountains of South America, and their civilization was at its peak in the 1400s. Their civilization was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadores who followed Christopher Columbus. These…
-
What Does the Term “A1 Condition” Mean and Where Did the Term Come From?
In their early days, Lloyd's of London used an "A list" to classify sailing ships for insurance purposes. Only vessels meeting strict specifications would go to the top of that list, where they…
-
What Does the Term “Alma Mater” Mean and Where Did the Term Come From?
It all starts in kindergarten, a German concept meaning "children's garden," where the atmosphere for learning should be as pleasant for a child as being in a garden. School follows the same philosophy…
-
What Does the Term “Straw Boss” Mean and Where Did the Term For Work Supervisor Come From?
A straw boss is usually a supervisor or foreman of menial work, and the label comes from the farm. The "big boss" was in charge of the entire threshing crew, whose main task…
-
Where Did the Term “Noon Hour” Come From and What Did the Term For Midday Mean Originally?
The "noon hour" has shifted several times throughout history, and at one time, when Christians prayed twice a day, it meant both midday and midnight. In the original Old English the noon hour…
-
What does the term “Charley horse” mean and Where does the phrase come from?
A paragrapher in Ladies' Home Journal (Vol. LXX, No. 12) asserted without hesitation that the term "Charley horse" for muscular stiffness came about thus: In the 1890's, a horse (named Charley) which drew…
