Two working-class expressions that seem to be creeping upwards are: "Baby
needs changing," as though you were fed up with her already, and "I've
potted Sharon," as though she were a shiny red billiard ball. Confusion is
also caused by the term "putting down." The upper classes "put down" sick
or senile dogs ...
The middle classes "put down" children for school, but when the working
classes say, "I've put Sharon down," it means they've put her to bed. When
they say, "I mind children," it doesn't mean they dislike them, but that
they look after them.
-- Jilly Cooper
