Discussion Groups / British English / March 2005

More and more often, I see people write "except" when they mean
"accept".  I can understand that these people probably pronounce both
words exactly the same, and are thereby led into confusion, but the
mistake really puzzles me, because surely "accept" is easier to spell

My name is Sophia Huang. I am a postgraduate student at Aston
University. May I take this opportunity to invite you to participate in
my online survey designed to understand the risk perception towards
online dating services among the UK consumers. The survey currently is

Just curious, are the 'pay and display' schemes still used in UK
carparks?
It's been a long time for me (States-side, now) but I remember
some blokes who would stick a few dozen on their cars to try

Anyone familiar with the phrase, "not (or naught) for nothing"?
Is it true "naught" is sometimes spelled differently in England
(nought, or nowt)?

I'm a north-italian boy,23 years old,employee, and I could be pleased
to improve my english language corresponding with a girl, or a  boy
(once a week), wich has wish to improve her/his italian language.
Best regards.

I have just had a Chinese student use the above phrase in the context:
"It is a long way, will we have to use shanks pony"
Apparently it means to walk, travel by foot but I have never heard of it before. Anyone any idea where it comes from???
Thanks

recently (most recent during interviews), I noticed a lot of people
using the phrase 'Me and $OtherPerson'. I noticed this expression
because so far I thought that in English one normally mentions the other
person first (i.e. $OtherOerson and me).

Anyone know what the "oblique mood" is? Seems to come from Greek and
Slavic languages...

in a rather formal document published by my employer, I found the
following phrase:
"You must ensure that you have read and understand [the relevant
regulations]".

Sorry if this is an FAQ, I don't drop in here often. I am trying to find
out when the progressive present (as in "I am writing") first entered
English, when it became the prevalent form of the present tense for most
purposes, and how it compares with usage in other European ...

"Bedshaped and legs of stone" is a quote from Keane's song Bedshaped.
Can anybody explain what it means? Is it that you, allthough you've just
wakened up, still have the shape of your bed (figurative)  and you are so
dizzy you can hardly walk (legs of stone).

This is a dialect phrase that my English mother (Staffs/Warks) uses.  It is
in the context:  "You sound a bit thick in the clear", when she is listening
to someone who is coming down with a cold and has developed that clogged up
sound in the throat.

Can anybody explain the difference of "each" and "every"  with examples?
thanks in advance?

Help me with my English (Proficiency Level), I'll help you with your Italian.
I am a 57-year-old Italian teacher of English. Sometimes I have doubts about the
usage of English which I feel only an educated native speaker can solve.
Is there anyone out there willing to help me on a ...

Can anyone recommend any good books or other resources on regional dialects, their usage and evolution? I am particularly interested in the East Midlands/Leicestershire area.
Thanks