<P> The debate was set in motion in 1954 by the British linguist Alan S.C. Ross , professor of linguistics in the University of Birmingham . He coined the terms `` U '' and `` non-U '' in an article , on the differences that social class makes in English language usage , published in a Finnish professional linguistics journal . Though his article included differences in pronunciation and writing styles , it was his remark about differences of vocabulary that received the most attention . </P>
<P> The debate was set in motion in 1954 by the British linguist Alan S.C. Ross , professor of linguistics in the University of Birmingham . He coined the terms `` U '' and `` non-U '' in an article , on the differences that social class makes in English language usage , published in a Finnish professional linguistics journal . Though his article included differences in pronunciation and writing styles , it was his remark about differences of vocabulary that received the most attention . </P>
who described words and phrases as u or non-u
who described words and phrases as u or non-u
British linguist Alan S.C. Ross , professor of linguistics in the University of Birmingham
British linguist Alan S.C. Ross , professor of linguistics in the University of Birmingham