What was the ton in Regency England?

Answer 1

The ton is a term commonly used to refer to the popular echelons of Britain's elite society during the Regency Period of Britain. It comes from the French word meaning 'taste' or 'everything that is fashionable' and is pronounced the same way as 'tone.' The full phrase is 'le bon ton,' meaning good manners or 'in the fashionable mode' - ideal characteristics held by the British ton. 'Ton' has also been used as an interchangeable unit meant to signify the The upper 10,000 of 19th century society, including most of the aristocracy, peerage, and the wealthy merchants or bankers of the City (London).