How awful sounds "what's her/his face"?
I was wondering if I use this expression would be unpolite (extremely I mean) or disrespectful. I know you can use it when you don't remember someone's name. We have an equivalent in Spanish "como se llama" (what's its name) and it's related to things not to people.

Some examples: profesora se ha perdido mi como se llama. Teacher my what's its name is lost.

Thanks for your help folks

Question

How awful sounds "what's her/his face"?
I was wondering if I use this expression would be unpolite (extremely I mean) or disrespectful. I know you can use it when you don't remember someone's name. We have an equivalent in Spanish "como se llama" (what's its name) and it's related to things not to people.

Some examples: profesora se ha perdido mi como se llama. Teacher my what's its name is lost.

Thanks for your help folks

Answer

I personally think that the expression is rude no matter if you are with friends or not. It's better to say "what is her/his name?" or "I am very sorry but I can't remember the name of SO and SO (e.g., the woman who was here yesterday, John's friend, etc).

Answer

Its casual and certainly to be used only if the person is not around.  It can also be considered dismisive of a person...ie a person not in your company who you dont know very well and are not particularly keen on...a new partner of a friend for example.

Answer

"She's with what's his face today".
It's really casual, and only said when you're talking about someone who isn't present. If the person is standing there listening, you'd have to admit, "I'm sorry, I don't remember your name"

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