As Shaw may once have said.
“England and America are two countries separated by the same language!”
As an expat Brit I sometimes have occasion to reflect on the differences in the use of English here in the US
Today for example I called the local water board to report a leak:-
Me- Good Morning madam I would like to report a water leak.
She- Yes sir where is it?
Me it is on the verge at the corner of Blue Ridge Ave and Haywood Road.
She, I'm sorry I do not understand 'Verge"
Me On the grass where the pavement would be if there were one.
She, Pavement?
Me, Yes er sidewalk, but of course there actually isn't one.
She One what Sir (slightly testy as she is suspecting a nutter)
Me, Sorry, I am English, let me try again. There is a water leak at Blue Ridge and Haywood. On the sidewalk.
She Where is it coming from?
Me From a little round metal thingy on the grass near the corner.
She Is it on someones property?
Me Well yes, I expect so
And so on...
“England and America are two countries separated by the same language!”
As an expat Brit I sometimes have occasion to reflect on the differences in the use of English here in the US
Today for example I called the local water board to report a leak:-
Me- Good Morning madam I would like to report a water leak.
She- Yes sir where is it?
Me it is on the verge at the corner of Blue Ridge Ave and Haywood Road.
She, I'm sorry I do not understand 'Verge"
Me On the grass where the pavement would be if there were one.
She, Pavement?
Me, Yes er sidewalk, but of course there actually isn't one.
She One what Sir (slightly testy as she is suspecting a nutter)
Me, Sorry, I am English, let me try again. There is a water leak at Blue Ridge and Haywood. On the sidewalk.
She Where is it coming from?
Me From a little round metal thingy on the grass near the corner.
She Is it on someones property?
Me Well yes, I expect so
And so on...
