What exactly is meant by the term 'common' when it expresses disapproval. I've heard several things referred to as being this but as far as I could see they were anything but common (in incidence).
8.coarse; vulgar: [span class="ital-inline"]common manners.
[a href="vny!://dictionary.reference.com/browse/common"]vny!://dictionary.reference.com/browse/common[/a]
Hmmm I've never heard this phrase before. Common manners interesting.
I'm confused as well.
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I think it denotes a lack of exclusivity.
It's a British expression?
example: "Well. I shan't be buying clothing from Sears. As if! That's so common."
I think it's British. A couple of things I heard and which I found really funny were the facts that a) wearing diamonds in the daytime and b) eating in the street were both considered to be 'common'. Can anyone think of possible examples we could add to these?
hmmm Goph...from those examples of behaviour, it sounds like "common" means ignorant or ill-bred.
This must include me, as I'm very guilty of #2.
So am I.
No diamonds in the daytime for you, Goph?
Nor nightime either, same for you Lil Me?
Yup. I have one diamond ring, but it sits at home because I don't usually wear rings.
Wow! That's really refined!
Yeah, the rings get all messed up from the taco sauce which drips on my hands while I eat lunch on the street.
Stop making me laugh. I'm sure it's common.
I've always thought of it as a derogatory 'class distinction'. As in...the 'common folk'.....generally used by 'the elite' (or snobs) Ill bred is as close to the term as I understand it.
I'm a non-diamond person too. I have one, but wear it rarely. Same reason as Lil Me......well......that, and it's a little tight. [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="vny!://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/liebe/g038.gif" border=0]
So if you're enlisted to sit throug the House of Commons, that's an insult???
lol...No, you're just a proud Commoner. Not a Senator.
I've just received a list of things which were considered common in England in the late fifties. It's hilarious. Herewith:
Heinz baked beans
Football
Spam
Motorcycles
Public displays of affection
Television (!)
Jam sandwiches
Dyed Hair
Shouting
Braces
Plimsolls worn with trousers
Swearing
Over-familiarity
Failure to hold a knife and fork properly
...and do you think any of those still apply today ?
Heaven only knows.
I've just found the correct definition - inelegant.