NameSection6.2 British English
The following passage contains many words and phrases characteristic of the
British English spoken in London. As you read it, try to identify these words and
phrases and their meaning in American English; then turn to the question that
follows.
Nigel, wearing a smart lounge suit and carrying the inevitable waterproof,
descended from the lift of his London flat and posted a letter in the pillarbox.
Feeling hungry, Nigel turned into his favourite pub for a pint and some lunch.
Bubble and squeak and bangers and mash did not appeal to him today. Instead,
he chose plaice with potato. When he ordered, he learned that he had three
choices of potato: chips, crisps, and jacket potato. He ordered the jacket potato
with a side of courgettes and a slice of wholemeal bread.
After finishing lunch, Nigel walked onto the pavement and stopped to tighten his
shoelaces. As he was passing a draper's shop, he suddenly remembered he needed
something from a chemist. After having his order filled, he entered a call box, with
the intention of calling his friend Llewellyn, since he had forgotten to call before
he left his flat. He soon learned that the line was engaged, so he decided that if he
was ever to catch Llewellyn up, he should have to take the Tube to Llewellyn's
flat. Matters were not so simple since the IRA had phoned in bomb threats so the
Tube was running late. The crowds around the buskers in the Tube did not help
either.
On top of the Tube problem, it was a bank holiday. The shop assistants were
walking with their boyfriends, and many of them were on their way to the
cinemas. Matters were rather chaotic on the streets. Animal rights protesters were
marching, and one had inadvertently stepped in front of a coach. He was taken to
hospital in a critical condition.
Finally Nigel arrived at the flat of his friend Llewellyn. Because the day was
bright, they decided to take a trip by train to Brighton and so booked a return.
Since the trip was short, they only took monkeynuts and drinks. They read on the
way, and a Times headline read, "England have won the soccer tournament." Also
in the TiPnes there was a report on Estuary English, a dialect which was having a
major impact on London English. The two friends enjoyed the day and were glad
to be out of the bustling city. (Revised from BlanckCIAbraham 193511953, 49-50)