or King’s English, subs. phr. (colloquial).—The English language correctly written or spoken.
1593. NASHE, Strange Newes [GROSART, Works, ii. 184]. He must be running on the letter, and abusing the QUEENES ENGLISH without pittie or mercie.
c. 1604. SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor (played c. 1600), i. 4. 6. Abusing of God’s patience and the KING’S ENGLISH.
1836. E. HOWARD, Rattlin, the Reefer, xxxv. They talked Irish so musically, and put THE KING’S ENGLISH to death so charmingly.
1863. ALFORD, A Plea for the QUEEN’S ENGLISH [Title].
1886. T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 212. King Henry V. comes before us, and we may now fairly begin to talk of KING’S ENGLISH.
