Re: "warm" discussions - tangential and irrelevant but...
Tony wrote:
>I think it /so/ essential to remember that - in what is an international
>and public forum - that /some/ misunderstandings must inevitably arise,
>because of local differences in the way the language is used. A word
>that is completely correct and acceptable in one country, may be very
>suspect, or even downright rude in another. The classic example for me,
>as between British English and American English, is the use of the word
>"bitch". In British English, this is the technically correct word for a
>female dog, and is so used by every speaker.
Oh you are so right. I remember back in the late '60's, working my
first summer as a councilor on a UK based, USAF summer camp for the
children of overseas personnel. Little did I realise the yawning gap
between American and British English. When at breakfast one day,
someone called across the mess-hall asking where Jack, one of the
leaders was. I yelled back he must be still asleep and added
helpfully -
"I'll go and knock him up shall I?"
Barely stifled giggles from the 350 or so kids, rapidly dissolved into
uncontrolled hysteria, but the shocked expression of the director - a
very dour Texan, told me all was not well. It became patently obvious
my suggestion that I should go and knock on the door to wake Jack up,
had taken on a totally different meaning. I was taken aside after
breakfast and the director suggested that before I cause a total
outrage, I test the more common English colloquialisms on one of the
more broad minded Americans working there. His assistant came up to
discuss something and offered cigarettes all round. Without thinking,
I said
"Cor thanks - after that little episode, I'm desperate for a fag"
Faux-pas no. 2. The dour Texan spluttered violently, nearly bust a
blood vessel and hurried off shaking his head in total despair. I was
later told that 'fag' had absolutely nothing to do with Marlboro or
Winston on the 'other side of the pond'.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
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