dave hard Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 ok, I think we need FH to answer this one..... Yesterday I had the thrill of driving to Heathrow and back taking in a selection of our finest motorways - M58, M6, M5, M40 & M25. (450 mile round trip, left home 0330, got back 1600 ) On a lot of the illuminated signs they have warnings about not using mobile phones. What they actually say is "Don't phone while driving." Now, I am just a dumb engineer who never paid enough attention in English classes but shouldn't it say "whilst" rather than "while" If this is the case I can feel a rant to my MP coming on about the sliding standards and poor example to the yoof of today 😬 Or am I wrong and am going to get a rap on the knucles for trying to be a smart 🙆🏻 Caterham 21 VHPD - one of the few Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric McLoughlin Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Technically you are correct but the replacement of "whilst" by "while" has been going on for many years. In actual fact, to read as "proper" English, the sign should have read: "Do not use the telephone whilst driving". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossybee Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Dave, I thought this thread was about the financial status of you grandmother. Oh, and knuckles has two 'k's Thanks Rrrrrosssssss!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Not strictly on the same topic but sort of related, something which amuses me every time I look at it. On the spur road joining junction 6 on the M3, each lane has directions painted on the road together with directional arrows. On the left hand side is the direction to London which some bright spark decided he would save space by writing it thus....L'(space)NDON .........which in fact takes up more width than if he had inserted the O 😬 Brent Zetec Edited by - BRENT CHISWICK on 28 Nov 2003 08:54:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossybee Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Where is L'ONDON? Rrrrrosssssss!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Eh 🤔 Brent Zetec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossybee Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 😬 Rrrrrosssssss!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave hard Posted November 28, 2003 Author Share Posted November 28, 2003 never said I could spell did I 🤔 😬 it was just that having seen dozens of the signs it was really starting to bug me, or was that the effects of too much strong coffee Caterham 21 VHPD - one of the few Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Oliver Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 "Although I have only recently come amongst you, I would say that betwixt friends -while- is fine" as Mr Ranulph Twiddly-Earwig the English teacher would say. "Although I have only recently come among you, I would say that between friends - while- is fine" as I would say. Both are "correct" ... but only one makes you sound like a bit of a gaylord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Hmmm.... I corrected the spelling of knucles over here for some reason... HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiptree Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 I still like "delays until April 2004" - that would take some explaining back home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 the absolutely BEST SIGN: Road Changed Ahead *thumbup* Steve B Big Black Beast^3 SV VHPD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBBO Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Am i there yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La vache espagnole Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Eeek! Another one... P.S. Yes, you probably are... 😳 nothing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 To get back to the original point, 'phone' is not a verb but a shortened noun. And a different level I heard recently that the word 'gullible' has been removed from the English language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric McLoughlin Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 I'm not surprised - we are all so savvy these days. Nothing gets past us. We are never misled or conned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not a Postman Pat Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Rick W 😬 my poor grammar is long dead God rest her soul Pat and his not quite black and white cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mav Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 D'oh Viv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Bradley Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Pedantry is embarrassing whilst in the bikeshed but....It should have said " 'phone" - 'phone is just a shortened version of telephone. It annoys me, but only very mildly. Pub at the end of my road has a blackboard with "Today's Special" at the top. And some soul wrote "but EVERY day's special". Made me 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Phone doesn't worry me, it's accepted now, like today instead of to-day - the language moves on. How long before the grocer's apostrophe joins it? Tony Self-appointed Blatchat pedant (I was there first, get in the queue Julian ❗) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not a Postman Pat Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 Julian - don't you mean pub' Pat and his not quite black and white cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innocent_bystander Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 Once upon a time, in the Good Old Days, signs by the road side would say "Roadworks Ahead". Now they say "Mending Worn-Out Road". Has Noddy taken over the Dept. of Transport? 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 Noddy IS the DoT ☹️ Steve B Big Black Beast^3 SV VHPD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Bradley Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 Pat - I stand corrected! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innocent_bystander Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 The Pedant's Revolt was led by Whom Tyler! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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