[FreedomCalls]

Except that now,some in the higher classes emulate the speech patterns of the lowest class.

It's most clear in Britain where Received Pronunciation (eg, Alistair Cooke, the Queen, Tony Blair) is dead -- no longer even taught at Oxford and Cambridge. And it's happened only in the last 20-25 years. It's been replaced by "Estuary English" which really sounds horrible to my ears. The best example of Estuary English pronunciation is Jamie Oliver. It hurts my ears to hear him. I can't stand it.

[SAJ]

Damned shame, too, isn't it!

[nopardons]

That's the cook who lisps;right? The Naked Chef?

He has a dreadful accent!