Discussion Groups / British English / April 2005

I don't think many of us go around complimenting railway engines.

"Really useful", however, is a really useful phrase, particularly when
trying to justify spending far too much on the latest labour saving
kitchen device which will, within two weeks, disappear into the deepest
recesses of the kitchen drawer, not to resurface until next spring.

"really useful" is used in the name of a group of entertainment companies in
England:

http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/really/

Definitely a peculiarity of the Rev Awdry. The relationship between the
engines is largely modelled on the behaviour of boys at a minor prep
school: the Fat Controller representing the Head.

Off topic, what is on the smokebox door at the OTHER end of the double
ended engines?

Paul Burke

It has spread a bit from there.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group
http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/html/index.htm

I believe this stems from the premise that all the other engines in the
Thomas books have pretty well defined roles;  Thomas' role is supposed
to be minor and anthropomorphized to be 'not as good as' any of them.
However, the story lines continually turn to show just how varied and
versatile and 'helpful' Thomas can be and thus the conclusion is reached
that it is "really useful" i.e. not just an unimportant and minor engine
after all.

In much the same way that Swiss Army pen-knives and multi-gadget tools
may have been initially acquired primarily for one role but excel at
many others:  they're often held to be "really useful".
In the rush hour I might use several really useful short cuts to avoid
the queues and lessen my journey time.
Sometimes advertisers extol the virtues of a piece of (imported) tat in
order to make a quick profit and hence one sees:  "limited offer - this
really useful xyz can be yours for only 9.95 inclusive".