It’s known as “majestic plural”, or “royal we”. Admiral Rickover, or, perhaps, Mark Twain, is attributed with the response, “Three groups are permitted that usage: pregnant women, royalty, and schizophrenics. Which one are you?” I doubt if it was Twain, though, because the term schizophrenia was coined only two years before his death and had not become part of the common vocabulary.
On the line “We are not amused”, check out http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a940415.html
I don’t know the source, but the way I heard it was that the only people entitled to use “We” in the singular first person are royalty, editors, and people with tapeworms.
Ironically, the occasion when she’s reported to have said “we are not amused” is actually not an example of the royal “we” in use; she was referring to herself and the wives of the gentlemen who were laughing at a bawdy joke made in her presence.
Trail_Blazer about 16 years ago
Hey Pab - How come HRH always refers to herself in first person plural? Was this common in the late 19th?
margueritem about 16 years ago
It was common among royalty. Don’t you remember her oft quoted line: “we are not amused”.
runar about 16 years ago
It’s known as “majestic plural”, or “royal we”. Admiral Rickover, or, perhaps, Mark Twain, is attributed with the response, “Three groups are permitted that usage: pregnant women, royalty, and schizophrenics. Which one are you?” I doubt if it was Twain, though, because the term schizophrenia was coined only two years before his death and had not become part of the common vocabulary.
On the line “We are not amused”, check out http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a940415.html
jackfertig about 16 years ago
I don’t know the source, but the way I heard it was that the only people entitled to use “We” in the singular first person are royalty, editors, and people with tapeworms.
Pab Sungenis creator about 16 years ago
Yes, it is a running gag based on the royal “we.”
Ironically, the occasion when she’s reported to have said “we are not amused” is actually not an example of the royal “we” in use; she was referring to herself and the wives of the gentlemen who were laughing at a bawdy joke made in her presence.
Trail_Blazer about 16 years ago
Well, thanks all - I was…I mean we were…no, WE mean WE were curious. ;-)