Have you ever wondered what Pat meant when she said she would 'rather like another jammy bun', or when Hilary said she was 'rather tired after lacrosse practice'? Well, have no fear! We, the Enid Blyton translators and experts on her quirky expressions, are here to explain.
HISTORY
The word 'rather' was derived from King Perceval III when some poor wench with a huge wart on her nose asked him if he thought she was pretty. The King stared at her, at an utter loss for words. Should he tell her the truth and make her spread the word that he had a poisonous tongue? Or should he lie so that she told everyone what a brilliant king he was? In the end, he said one word to her in response: 'Rather'. With his deadpan expression and voice, the response was perfectly neutral and left the wench puzzled but unhurt, unaware of the displeasing effect that the wart had on the general public.
DEFINITION
Used to express vague agreement, or to show a certain degree or extent.
WHEN TO USE IT
When your friend asks you an awkward question that you don't particularly want to answer, or if your mom asks you if you've done your homework. Trust us, it's the perfect response for any sticky situation - just try it out.
Anyone tried using the word 'rather' in a sentence in good old Enid style? Comment below to let us know what happened and how people reacted!
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The Revised Enid Blyton Dictionary
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