Colin the MathmoJan 14, 2023

OK, language weirdness question.

Someone recently said:

"I just about caught the train."

Did they catch it or not? Perhaps it depends whether you think of English as (one of) your first language(s).

As always, if you're happy to do so I'd be grateful if you'd boost for reach, and to get beyond my circle of followers.

Thank you!

They caught the train (EN)
24.9%
They missed the train (EN)
46.7%
They caught the train (other)
20.5%
They missed the train (other))
7.9%
Poll ended at .
Show threadrobinhoustonJan 14, 2023
@ColinTheMathmo Is this a “divided by a common language” thing? It seems unambiguous to me that they caught the train, but apparently I'm in a minority of English-speakers with that interpretation. Wondering if there's a UK/US divide.
Show threadAaron WilliamsonJan 14, 2023
@robinhouston @ColinTheMathmo “just about” has always meant “nearly” in my US English speaking world
Show threadrobinhoustonJan 14, 2023
@copiesofcopies I speak British English, so that's consistent with my hypothesis!
Show threadRo ClavertonJan 14, 2023
@robinhouston @copiesofcopies Brit English here. They definitely caught the train. I was surprised to see the poll numbers so high for missing it among English speakers.
Show threadSomersetWhovian 🇺🇦💙Jan 14, 2023
@roclaverton @robinhouston @copiesofcopies
Another UK English speaker here. It's a bit of an odd usage, but I'd definitely assume they caught the train.
Show threadJames WoodJan 15, 2023
@ClaireCopperman From the same background, I don't think it sounds odd at all.
Show threadSomersetWhovian 🇺🇦💙

@mudri
We're all different, aren't we? I don't think I'd use "just about" in that context. I'd be far more likely to say "I only just caught the train." I think I use "just about" more to mean something's done, but could be better; ie:
- I've just about finished my assignment.
- I'm just about ready to leave.

ps - I love all the earnest discussion over one tiny bit of language: it gladdens my language-loving heart.
@rowyn @ColinTheMathmo @robinhouston @_HilaryD_

Jan 15, 2023 at 3:01pmWeb
Show threadHilary DuffieldJan 15, 2023
@ClaireCopperman @mudri @rowyn @ColinTheMathmo @robinhouston
Yes, I was thinking today - I can't imagine this kind of reflective & analytical dialogue happening at the bird place....