Book describing devt of petty-bureaucratic English?

[Harold Davis]

About five years ago I read a newspaper review of a book on the history of
the English language that contained quite a lot on the development of the
petty-bureaucratic sociolect, including the kind of thing that some might
call "traffic warden" English.

Unfortunately I've forgotten the title.

I can't recall exactly what the author said, but he seemed reasonably
astute, so I am fairly sure he looked at changes in the school system and
possibly also the civil service after the 1870s.

Can someone help?

Thanks in advance!

Harry

[Peter Duncanson]

Hello!

I haven't read a book of that description. I may have heard of one but
my memory is drawing a blank. I'll let you know if anything comes to
mind.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in uk.culture.language.english)

[Harold Davis]

Peter Duncanson <ma...@peterduncanson.net> wrote in
news:jc3kjbpdsf6fe2u9q...@4ax.com:

Thanks Peter. FWIW, I think the author may have been a well-known
newspaper journalist.

Harry