we are a grandmother

we are a grandmother
Meaning
Origin
UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's statement to the press on the birth of her first grandchild. An example of the use of the 'Royal We'. Her adoption of a form of speech previously reserved for royalty and her imperious manner lead to a rather nice linguistic joke at the time:
- Why is Margaret Thatcher like a pound coin? - Because she is thick, brassy and thinks she's a sovereign. Another linguistic joke at her expense came in the explanation from an aide as to why she had the nickname of Daggers Thatcher. An interviewer asked, 'Is that because she has a reputation for stabbing colleagues in the back?' 'No, its because she's three stops past Barking.' (Dagenham is three stops past Barking on the London Underground)

Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.

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