Caroline Ford wrote:
It's not bank holiday vs public holiday - it's holiday vs vacation.
We have statutory holidays and annual vacations.
Mark Williamson wrote:
"tick" vs "check" -- not the same thing. a check is a distinct symbol, as is a tick, and they are two different symbols.
Never heard of a check in that context...
Ticks spread Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
"trousers" vs "pants" -- although we consider "trousers" to be a bit old-fashioned, it will be widely understood here. I did used to think it meant shoes though.
Trousers are more formal than any old pants :)
A dog pants
"bill" vs "check" -- uhh... we use both.
You can make out a cheque to pay a bill...
A bird can pick it up in his bill.
"car" vs "automobile" -- we usually just say "car" here. only people like you say "automobile".
I say good sir, that's a horseless carriage, and I shall dual any many who should say otherwise!
Go ahead and duel him, but I would prefer not to have a second copy of him.
"jug" vs "pitcher" -- absolut rediculos~!
Except of course for a Pitcher Plant...
That girl has big jugs.
These differences add to the richness of the language. For those of us with a capacity to find the wrong meaning at the right time it fertile nightsoil for endless puns.
Ec