Adrianna TanApr 9

Just realized that here in London, I can say ‘I took the lift up to my flat after removing the items from the boot’ and people are going to understand me

I also look forward to standing in a queue, and throwing away my rubbish

In the afternoon, I shall have some biscuits

#English #Languages

Show threadDeixis9Apr 9
@skinnylatte Half four etc. as a concept of time.
Show threadjensilberApr 9
@Deixis9 This one always trips me up, as an American. Is it half past four, or halfway until four?
Show threadDeixis9Apr 9
@jensilber Half past four..
Show threadMarjorieRApr 9
@Deixis9 @jensilber [UK speaker here] never heard the expression 'halfway until four' but I'd guess it was actually half past three not half past four.
Show threadjensilberApr 9
@marjolica No I don't think I've heard "halfway until four" but we say "20 to four" or "quarter to four," so there is ambiguity!
Show threadMarjorieRApr 9
@jensilber always asking a bit much for any version of English to be consistent.
But obviously (?) in the UK we draw the line at the half hour and switch over to using 'after'.
Show threadjensilber
@marjolica 😆
Apr 9 at 6:40pmWeb