prunes and prisms



prunes and prisms

Intentionally formal and/or prudish speech or action. The phrase originated in Charles Dickens' novel Little Dorrit as an example of proper speech. When you talk to your grandmother, stick to prunes and prisms so that you don't offend her. If you want to become a proper lady, practice saying "prunes and prisms"!
See also: and, prune

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Salih-Arabic
KjellSHELSwedish, Norwegian
Padmini-Indian, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu
KimballKIM-bəlEnglish
ChristophKRIS-tawfGerman
NjÅL-Norwegian