Why do people refer to themselves as we?

1. Royalty.
2. Newspaper editors, when speaking for the editorial staff.
3. People with a tapeworm.

All others refer to themselves as "I"; and, by the way, not "this reporter," "yours truly," "your correspondent," or any other expression that puts a mask over the face of the speaker or writer.

______________

Sometimes when we speak or write, we refer to ourselves as part of a larger group and not as a single individual. Example: "Our ability to think clearly may be hampered if we become emotionally upset during a discussion or argument." This is a common way of speaking and writing, even in formal settings. It does not imply special status, and does not suggest that one is necessarily speaking as an official representative of a group.

The Royal 'we' is a special usage that is an emphatic declaration of the speaker's own status and presteige. Editors and others may have occasion to formally speak for a group and will often use 'we' while explaining the decisions or positions of the group.

First answer by Spelvin. Last edit by Emdrgreg. Contributor trust: 987 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]