Ah... I loved that movie. (Roxanne, if any of you didn't get the quote.) Steve Martin as a Cyrano type of figure was trying to feed a tongue tied hunk lines to win over Roxanne. The tongue tied hunk couldn't hear too well.
Anyway, what does this have to do with travel in the UK?
Well, when I first got to England it started out as kind of annoying to find out those darn British don't speak English so good! I was in dire need of a restroom at a department store one day. Let's just say my eyes were floating. :)
I run up to the nearest cashier and with a crazed look and no-nonsense approach, I boldly ask for the restroom.
"Th' wha?"
"Restroom!"
Blank face.
"The bathroom."
"You want to take a bath???"
NO NO NO!!! My poor bladder was about to burst.
Quickly thinking of synonyms... I tossed out, LadiesRoomPowderRoom... and the final last ditch effort... "WC!".
"Ah," says the lady and points.
England and America are two countries separated by the same language. -George Bernard Shaw
I had a few other run-ins with the "English" language while over there. Let's see...
I was talking with a telephone operator and asked if she'd transfer me to Information.
dead silence.
"What?"
"You know, directory information..."
Silence.
"OH!!! You want directory INQUIRIES!"
Whatever.
Just like that post in that last blog on various foodstuffs. Aubergine/eggplant. Lift/elevator, flat/apartment...
The cute part of British English (to me) is their colloquialisms.
Bob's your uncle.
Getting a leg over.
'ave a Butchers.
LOL, I still don't know what they're saying 'arf the time, but I'm learning.
Oh, and if you really want a laugh, try asking an American to say:
"Sort it out"
With an English accent. I've been trying for YEARS!
Tirrah for now, me ducks!
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