Terminology - What Gets Your Back Up?
FX Guru
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Greenwich
Age: 67
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I lived in Singapore, the Natwest Bank downgraded my branch and issued an 0845 number to me to call with any banking business -- which of course I couldn't dial from Singapore.
When I moaned about this I got a letter which in essence said 'No problem, just nip into your branch.'
So to get some simple banking done I would have to jump onto a plane for a round trip of some 16,000 miles.
All this was 'for your convenience'.
Grrr.
When I moaned about this I got a letter which in essence said 'No problem, just nip into your branch.'
So to get some simple banking done I would have to jump onto a plane for a round trip of some 16,000 miles.
All this was 'for your convenience'.
Grrr.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Horsham UK
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The old blame ATC excuse it reminds me of a story (which I hope is true) A few years back the then FAA head honcho Jane Garvey was on a flight out of DCA the flight was delayed with some tech glitch and the PA is made "Folks we're sorry about the delay but its all the fault of ATC it seems tha the FAA is trying new software and that's causing traffic to back up". Since the aircraft is still at the gate la Garvey whips out her phone and makes a few calls to ...er... determine the veracity of the statement... Having concluded that the PA was in fact bollix she took out a business card and wrote a word on the back (to do with what comes out the back end of a male bovine) and sent it up to the flight deck.
To get back on track On the airline that I'm currently a mileage whore on they have a phrasing on their PA's that really pisses me off (dunno why... it just does) what it is "we have started our intital approach to XYZ and the Captain has turned on the seat belt sign which will remain illuminated for the duration of the flight" When ever I hear that I want to shout it's "REMAINDER you dozy xxxdwew. Remainder implying that which remains rather than duration which surely is to say that which began at pushback and will conclude when we are on blocks at XYZ"
Geeze I need to get out more...
To get back on track On the airline that I'm currently a mileage whore on they have a phrasing on their PA's that really pisses me off (dunno why... it just does) what it is "we have started our intital approach to XYZ and the Captain has turned on the seat belt sign which will remain illuminated for the duration of the flight" When ever I hear that I want to shout it's "REMAINDER you dozy xxxdwew. Remainder implying that which remains rather than duration which surely is to say that which began at pushback and will conclude when we are on blocks at XYZ"
Geeze I need to get out more...
Last edited by Ace Rimmer; 20th Feb 2004 at 23:08.
Pilots' Pal
Join Date: Nov 1998
Location: USA
Age: 63
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another misused word is "oversight", often used in the USA to describe a responsibility to regulate or monitor (as in FAA). Actually, viewing the link below, you'll see it has a dual meaning. I think using it in the context of omission is better.
Definition of oversight
Definition of oversight
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Not really sure
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IB4318
"Raft" is quite acceptable to use in the way you mention. There is more than the one definition of raft defined in most major dictionaries.
This from Websters
raft2 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rft)
n. Informal
A great number, amount, or collection: “As the prairie dog goes, conservation biologists say, so may go a raft of other creatures” (William K. Stevens).
"Raft" is quite acceptable to use in the way you mention. There is more than the one definition of raft defined in most major dictionaries.
This from Websters
raft2 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rft)
n. Informal
A great number, amount, or collection: “As the prairie dog goes, conservation biologists say, so may go a raft of other creatures” (William K. Stevens).
Pilot of the Airwaves
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Close to the Med
Age: 74
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amelia,
You've given your true ID away!
Creatures in rafts.........
It's Noah ain't it?
You've got an Arc and not a raft like the rest of us.
If it carries on raining like yesterday, is it available for lease (wet), towards the middle of the week?
Raft, even in the contect you mention is still annoying and I see politicians and their papers plunging over falls whenever it's used......correction over used. Best place for most politicians these days.
Another one..
"The pilot has now switched on the seat belt sign. The toilets are no longer in use."
What about the poor sod who's in there at the time. Do they have to stop mid...........?
You can see the glint in the F/As eyes, as they send the queue back to spend the next 30 mins with legs crossed , red faced and in great discomfort.
You've given your true ID away!
Creatures in rafts.........
It's Noah ain't it?
You've got an Arc and not a raft like the rest of us.
If it carries on raining like yesterday, is it available for lease (wet), towards the middle of the week?
Raft, even in the contect you mention is still annoying and I see politicians and their papers plunging over falls whenever it's used......correction over used. Best place for most politicians these days.
Another one..
"The pilot has now switched on the seat belt sign. The toilets are no longer in use."
What about the poor sod who's in there at the time. Do they have to stop mid...........?
You can see the glint in the F/As eyes, as they send the queue back to spend the next 30 mins with legs crossed , red faced and in great discomfort.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: He's on the limb to nowhere
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Use of the term "direct flight" which means same flight number but with inconvenient stops en-route.
Not being able to book airline ticket originating in UK with non UK credit card, and being told by airline it is for "my protection".
Those recent loyalty program changes which significantly devalued miles accrued and future benefits was a good one, an "enhancement" according to the airline, lol.
Comparing European no-frill airlines to Southwest always makes me laugh.
Not being able to book airline ticket originating in UK with non UK credit card, and being told by airline it is for "my protection".
Those recent loyalty program changes which significantly devalued miles accrued and future benefits was a good one, an "enhancement" according to the airline, lol.
Comparing European no-frill airlines to Southwest always makes me laugh.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of my pet (linguistic) peeves is the ever increasing use of the phrase *going forward*, as in * we will be enhancing our interest rate in light of the recent interest rate rise going forward*.What the heck does that mean? On the subject of finance speak, why is it necessary to say, for example, one quarter of one percent? It would not be one quarter of 3.6% (or any other number) would it.
I think the acid test for these redundant phrases is, would the meaning of the sentence change were the phrase to be removed?
I think the acid test for these redundant phrases is, would the meaning of the sentence change were the phrase to be removed?
