[HPFGU-OTChatter] Question on bizarre usage of the English language

[Neil Ward]

Christian said:

> Looking through some of the earlier emssages here, I found a link to
> Virgin Trains, <snip>

> *Get engaged!*
> All Virgin trains have toilet facilities situated at the end of each
> carriage.

> Naturally, this had me a bit puzzled, as the heading seems to have
> little to do with the facility described.  Is this a case of bizarre
> and dry English humour, or is it proof that one of the web-designers
> of Virgin Trains too eagerly has embraced Tony Blair's slogan 'Cool
> Britannia'?

This refers to the fact that when a public toilet is in use, it says
"engaged" on the lock (or a sign, lit up above the door) and when it isn't
it says "vacant".  I'm sure people have become engaged when in a toilet
cubicle.  I'm equally sure people have been vacant when in a toilet cubicle.
As our American friends would say: "Go figure!"

Neil
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