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Joined: Dec 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
Recently, an American I spoke to said this.
Is the use of the prep. 'on' instead of 'in' common in informal speech in this case? Perhaps it's use is related to the ubiquitous on-line?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156 |
We say "in line" here. I read about this somewhere, but I no longer remember where. I think it's a regional thing. That requires everyone to put their two cents in, so we can figure it out! 
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Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773 |
In Michigan, one stands in line, and always in line. If you want to be on line, log onto the net.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
Wales, ditto. In reserve, in reply, in these circumstances... An exception: on station.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
On line-- is on the net and it is also how one queues up. - In NYC (and it is a regionalism) we wait on line-- (and orders other--"Wait your turn-- get on (the) line!" we might be in line for a promotion or pay raise., or get about on in line skates.
I think it is found in other areas of North east-- but it is very strong in NYC. (and NYer's like the english, are pretty good about forming a line-- we don't bunch around-- but organize ourselves into lines-- and as for "cutting the line"-- sometimes we are okay with it-- other times you take your life in your hand! -- street smarts includes knowing when you can cut the line.)
and we set our tables--
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
In England we still "queue up", "join the queue" or tell others to "go to the end of the queue."
The phrase, "in line," is used increasingly and is understood by most people.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 28
newbie
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newbie
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 28 |
Agreed - NYC is a relatively isolated pocket of standing 'on' line. The Midwest and West, and the Atlantic coast are all right 'in' line. I have, however, heard in the Gateway City, 'jumping queue' (as opposed to 'cutting the/in line') once or twice, though I imagine it's more about the people with whom I associate than anything like genuine regional variation.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
As Rhuby said it's queues in England. And some people unfortunately do jump them. You might say someone cut in on you, but I think that's more for traffic.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Dec 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
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> get about on in line skates.
Is that the 'let's see how many prepositions I can get in a row' method.[grin] While we're on these prep./noun to adjective conglomerates, what about 'on-street' and 'off-street'.
BTW, do any of you use online (or on-line) in the sense of 'in progess' or 'ongoing', e.g. an online project, debate etc. or is everyone pretty much sick of it by now?
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 25
newbie
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newbie
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 25 |
what about 'on-street' and 'off-street'.
This made me muse on so much of what we say that makes no sense whatsoever. "My next door neighbor" - (but then this may just be regional) acutally it is "My next house neighbor"
Anyway, I can cut & paste on this board!!!
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