language influence across the Atlantic

Volleyballjerry

March 12, 2006, 10:23 p.m. (Message 44658)

In a message dated 03/11/2006 12:32:16 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
xx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx writes:

> In Great Britain, there are a lot of people that use the English language, 
> and there are more and more that copy what others do across the water.
> 

And vice-versa!  To "vet" someone (check out background) was first noticed by 
me in some British commentary long before it was ever a common term in the 
U.S.  In fact I had no idea what it meant when I first saw it.  Now it is fairly 
common here as well.

Ditto the term "run-up" (generally as "run-up to the...) meaning the period 
of time approaching.

(And again I have to change my "send to" address, Martin's message having 
also arrived, as commented upon earlier today, completely without the "reply-to" 
line and its Strathspey address.)

Robb Quint
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

Ron Mackey

March 13, 2006, 1 a.m. (Message 44661, in reply to message 44658)

> Ditto the term "run-up" (generally as "run-up to the...) meaning the period 
> of time approaching.
> 

	Well, the origin of run-up actually applies to distance more 
than time even though that is what it means today.  It alludes to that 
mysterious game called Cricket.  
The run-up is of vital importance - just ask any bowler.

GOSS9@telefonica.net

March 13, 2006, 1:58 p.m. (Message 44674, in reply to message 44658)

Can´t comment on the antiquity of "run up" in relation to cricket, but 
it has been around the aviation trade for a long time. Most people are 
not aware of it as they are rather isolated in the modern super 
carriers. But in small planes, the "run up" is made just before 
entering the area to await take off. In this process, with the brakes 
on, the engine is tested to make sure it and all the guages are 
functioning properly. Only once in my life of 1000s of hours of flying, 
has the plane I was flying failed this test, a failure that would have 
been disaster if in the air.