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Explaining "Children should be seen and not heard"
Reviewed and edited by 
Lloyd Cooper 29/09/2024, 19:08
Lloyd Cooper 29/09/2024, 19:08English.me team member
What does it mean?
The phrase suggests that children should behave quietly and not speak unless spoken to, emphasizing the expectation that they should be unobtrusive and well-behaved.
Tone
The tone of this phrase is generally authoritarian and old-fashioned, reflecting traditional views on children and their place in society.
Origin
The phrase originates from the 15th-century religious talk and was later popularized during Victorian times. It was often used to reinforce societal expectations of children's behavior in public and around adults.
Examples of usage
- Whenever the adults were talking, Claire reminded her kids that children should be seen and not heard.
- In his house, John expected that children should be seen and not heard during family gatherings.
- The old saying that children should be seen and not heard often comes under scrutiny in more modern parenting discussions.
Phrases
