US English (again)

[flying_ford_anglia]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C5219
From: flying_ford_anglia
Subject: Re: US English (again)
Reply To: [Yahoo! #5217] Re: US English (again)
Date: 7/27/00 8:05 pm  (ET)

<< For example, what on earth is a knickerbocker glory?>>

Blaise said: "It's a really big ice cream sundae"

I remember posting a reply to this question ages ago (chances of finding
that reply = slightly above zero) and commenting on the fact that the tall
serving glass resembles the leg of a knickerbocker (origin of knickers
= pants), and that knickerbocker was also a British nickname for early
New Yorkers.

Conclusion: the British of the time felt that a Knickerbocker Glory was
a typical American-style dessert.

Irony: the Americans of today have never heard of a Knickerbocker Glory.

All this reminds me of the British ad campaign for the wine Le Piat D'Or
(in the days when British people tended to touch wine only with a lengthy
bargepole). The tag line was "The French adore Le Piat D'Or!" Connoisseurs
of wine (and my parents) rushed out to buy this authentic taste of
France. However, not only did the French not "adore" Le Piat D'Or,
they didn't drink it either; it was all exported to Britain.

When it comes to questions that come around time and again, it would
be cool to put together an HP FAQ, so that people can just refer to
that. Either that, or keep a list of the # of messages containing
significant info...

Maybe I'll start jotting message #s down.

Neil, who is amused by the fact that he can throw Americans by saying
he's wearing pants and a vest and turning up in his underwear.