BBC English is a well-known term for the standard British English pronunciation or accent that is commonly heard on the BBC network. Other synonyms for BBC English include Received Pronunciation (RP), Standard English, Queen's English, Oxford English, and BBC English Accent. RP became widely used in the 20th century, particularly by the British elites, as a marker of social status and education. Though not as popular as it once was, it still enjoys a reputation of being the 'perfect' accent. It is characterized by clear enunciation of every sound, an absence of slang or regional accent, and a slightly formal tone.