'On line' vs. 'In line'

[jaF0]

While standing with a group of people waiting for something, Brits stand 'on line'. Us Yanks stand 'in line'. Sometimes there's a line on the floor showing us the way (cuz we be stoopit and all), but we rarely stand ON that line.

 

[rocket_surgery]

I thought Brits stood in a queue.

 

[Conager]

I thought Brits stood in a queue.

I got nothin' to do with the habits of Brits.

 

[jaF0]

I thought Brits stood in a queue.

Or queue up on line.

But we ain't talkin' 'bout the alphabit. Though sometimes lines wind around in a 's' shape.

 

[KingOrfeo]

An American met his girlfriend "in college," a Brit met his "at university."

 

[Hard_Rom]

An American met his girlfriend "in college," a Brit met his "at university."

The Canadian said "Which one? Make up your mind."

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I thought Brits stood in a queue.

That was my thought too...


After I thought, is this about shopping?

Why stand in line when you can get it on line.

 

[oggbashan]

Brits stand 'in line' too, making a queue.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Brits stand 'in line' too, making a queue.

Yes!


It made them easier for the colonists to shoot them.

 

[oggbashan]

An American met his girlfriend "in college," a Brit met his "at university."

In the UK the term "college" has several meanings. For example:

1. A part of a university. e.g. Caius college.

2. A sixth form (16-18 year olds) college.

3. A group of people gathered for a particular purpose. A surgeons' college.

4. A school renamed to make it sound better.

 

[Conager]

An American met his girlfriend "in college," a Brit met his "at university."

Maybe after the Russian Coup, Americans will drop <the> indefinate articles like <the> Brits do when they are "in hospital."

 

[Hard_Rom]

Yes!
It made them easier for the colonists to shoot them.

Also allowed 900 British and Canadian regulars and militia to whip 4000 Yanks at the Battle of Chrysler's Farm in November of 1813. Fire by battalion and good discipline meant that British fire was a constant rolling thunder as opposed to the undisciplined discharge of weapons by the Yanks. The battle along with the Battle of Chateauguay (1600 Brit/Can regs. militia and volunteers against 4000 Yanks) saved Montreal and the dividing of Canada and therefore the war.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I'm not sure about this but I think it's true -- an American has his house "on" Elm Street, a Brit has his house "in" Wigglesnoot-Gapemouth High Street.

 

[jaF0]

I'm not sure about this but I think it's true -- an American has his house "on" Elm Street, a Brit has his house "in" Wigglesnoot-Gapemouth High Street.

I believe it's in Wifflesnuffinghampshire Estate.

 

[Not Normal]

I always though on line was a New York thing.

 

[rocket_surgery]

I always though on line was a New York thing.

No, you have confused "on line" with "snobbish asshole." It's an easy mistake.

 

[Liar]

I occasionally go online when in line.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I occasionally go online when in line.

Sure you ain't lyin'?

 

[KingOrfeo]

In the UK, "I'll knock you up" means "I'll come and knock on your door." Brits visiting the States should be advised it means something different here and, depending on circumstances, might be taken in ill part.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Might take a 90 degree v-twin over a 4cyl inline.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Another important difference between American English and British English is that British English has a lot more dialects. From what I've read, in some cases you can travel from a village to the next village over and perceive differences in speech. However, for common use there is a standard "BBC English," which is roughly equivalent to American "Anchorman English" -- and, like the latter, is not quite the same thing as public-school "posh" English.

 

[Hard_Rom]

North American accents are a polyglot of those spoken by immigrants. Take English, Dutch, German and Irish accents give them a good mix and you have a northern Great Lakes region accent, IMO.

Europe is the same way with accents and dialects. A northern Frenchman speaks quite different than a southern one. Although I doubt an untrained ear could tell. Holland has quite the diversity. Friesians can almost make themselves understood to Germans just across the border.

By the time NA was being settled the printing press had started to standardize English. TV is probably accelerating that.

 

[sharingfantasies]

North American accents are a polyglot of those spoken by immigrants. Take English, Dutch, German and Irish accents give them a good mix and you have a northern Great Lakes region accent, IMO.

Europe is the same way with accents and dialects. A northern Frenchman speaks quite different than a southern one. Although I doubt an untrained ear could tell. Holland has quite the diversity. Friesians can almost make themselves understood to Germans just across the border.

By the time NA was being settled the printing press had started to standardize English. TV is probably accelerating that.

There are dozens of accents in the US. A Texan doesn't sound like a Louisianan, a New Yorker is different from a Bostonian, a West Virginian is different from a Georgian. I sure hope TV is not the standard of English. The grammar is horrendous.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Also allowed 900 British and Canadian regulars and militia to whip 4000 Yanks at the Battle of Chrysler's Farm in November of 1813. Fire by battalion and good discipline meant that British fire was a constant rolling thunder as opposed to the undisciplined discharge of weapons by the Yanks. The battle along with the Battle of Chateauguay (1600 Brit/Can regs. militia and volunteers against 4000 Yanks) saved Montreal and the dividing of Canada and therefore the war.

Did you look up the odds for the Battle of N'Awlins?

 

[oggbashan]

Did you look up the odds for the Battle of N'Awlins?

That happened AFTER peace had been signed...

Did you know during that war the Brits burned the White House and ate the US President's dinner in revenge for US forces burning houses and killing civilians in Canada?