[HPforGrownups] another play on words that slipped by me

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 24914

On in-jokes, Amanda noted the reference to Ford Prefect in Hitchhiker's
Guide... and Jami asked:

<<What about the Ford Anglia? Is this also an inside joke that I've
missed?>>

I was strangely drawn to this question - dunno why ;-)

I think the joke with the Ford Anglia is not in its name, but in the fact
that it is regarded as a very comical car, having been once been voted "the
ugliest car ever made".  It's therefore amusing that Arthur decided to
acquire, and soup up, this particular vehicle.  It's akin to his choice of
unfashionable clothing for the Quidditch World Cup.

The Ford Anglia (105E model, not the earlier version) is also a *very* tiny
car, about the same size as a Mini.  When JKR arrived in one for the launch
of GoF at King's Cross Station, it created a rather comical scene, as she
and a few minders unfolded themselves onto the platform.  The fact that it
is so tiny works comically against the large size of the Weasley brood, and
the fact that the magical car appears to have such a roomy back seat.

There may also be a slight joke in the fact that the rear wings of the 1960s
Ford Anglia were its distinctive feature (they were pointed), and that the
magical car is able to fly with these 'wings'.  Okay, I'm really stretching
a point here, but give me a break: I'm jetlagged!

On the general point of puns and plays on words that might escape
non-British readers, part of the problem is in identifying the things that
won't be understood.  'Pavement' for 'sidewalk' or 'fringe' for 'bangs' are
easy to spot, but it's not obvious to us Brits that the joke in terms like
'fairy lights' and 'night bus' wouldn't be understood.  Having worked on
some of Steve's Lexicon's Strictly British section with Doreen, I can
explain that the point of that project was to mop up such words and phrases:
Doreen sent me mystery phrases from the US editions of the books (by
definition having escaped the editorial translation), and I attempted to
define them.  Unfortunately, we seem to have stalled after running through
PS/SS, but I think it's worth continuing with it.

Having just returned from the US, I have a renewed interest in the
differences between British and US English.  During my trip, I felt bemused
by terminology on more than one occasion, but it was fun imagining the
processes that had led to the differences.  I love all that...

Neil aka Flying Ford Anglia, Mechanimagus Moderator
(not tiny, hopefully not ugly, but definitely owning a roomy back seat)