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“Make me a cup of coffee” — rude or polite?

Polite English requests: “Make me a cup of coffee” in 11 English accents. Cockney, South African, Northern Irish, New Zealand, British RP, New York, Australian, Welsh, French, Southern and Jamaican. “Make me a cup of coffee.” = an order. OK with family or close friends (with a smile!), but it can sound rude to a stranger or at work. More polite. “Could you make me a cup of coffee, please?” “Would you make me a cup of coffee, please?” “Can you make me a cup of coffee?” “Make US a cup of coffee.” In casual British English, “us” often means “me”! 🇬🇧 Which accent was the most polite?

What it means

  • 1 sentence, 11 accents Make me a cup of coffee.
  • To a stranger or at work: Make me a cup of coffee. Could you make me a cup of coffee, please?
  • British English 🇬🇧 “Make us a cup of coffee.” us = me (casual)

Transcript

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Quick quiz

  1. Question 1 of 2

    Which one is the most polite?

  2. Question 2 of 2

    In casual British English, “Make us a cup of coffee” often means…

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