Difference between revisions of "Infra dig"

The expression '''''infra dig''''' is an abbreviated form of the [[Latin]] '''''infra dignitatem''''' and means 'beneath (his/her/their) dignity'. It is used, always [[postpositive]]ly, to say of a person's acting or being treated in a certain way that it is or would be incompatible with their (high) position or status, as in such sentences as 'You can't expect the Vice-chancellor to drive himself to the ceremony: it would be so '''''infra dig'''''' or 'John always travels First Class on the train: he thinks that it would be '''''infra dig''''' for him to do otherwise'. The expression is used only in British English and in casual speech -  often sarcastically, of those who have an inflated sense of their status or position, as in 'Of course, since his promotion it's become '''''infra dig''''' for James to go for a drink with his old colleagues'.