OK, this is a story which I tell with some frequency, on the general theme of the sometimes-humorous (or is it humourous?) things that happen when British English-speakers try to communicate with American English-speakers (and vice-versa). . . (I could also refer you to my reply-comment to the Brighton Pensioner in the comment-space attached to this post). . .
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A business-woman I know was travelling to London on business. She was met at the airport by a gentleman who worked for the company on which she was to call the following day. Said gentleman drove her from the airport to her hotel, and then, by way of making arrangements to pick her up in the morning and convey her to the office at which meetings were to take place, he asked her, "Shall I knock you up about eight, then?"
Absolutely true story. . .
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I've heard that phrase, maybe in a book, and thought it was quite odd! But it actually makes more sense than the American meaning.
ReplyDeleteOne of my Bloggers is British and every time he mentions wearing a jumper, I'm like ??? That's what little girls in the 70's wore over tights.
Perhaps they jump in their sweaters. . . (or maybe we sweat in our jumpers? . . .)
DeleteI will comment by referring to my reply to the comments on the referenced post.
ReplyDelete(*snork*)
DeleteGetting run over by a truck sounds hideous, but getting run over by a lorry sounds like something you could survive quite easily.
ReplyDeleteI was tempted to say I knew a girl named Laurie who, had she hit you, it might've felt like a truck. But that would just be mean, so I won't. . .
DeleteAnd I'm not sure, but I think in British English, a 'truck' might be something like what we call a 'dolly'. So, you know, maybe not so bad, after all. . .
Well, did he? Come my man, do finish the story!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure he did. . . At least, by his own meaning for the term. . . I do know that she didn't come home 'knocked up' by the idiomatic American meaning of it. . .
Delete:-)
Delete