[HPforGrownups] cultural references (was: Britishisms, swearing)

[rosie]

No: HPFGUIDX 40604

Me (earlier):
>>"Damn" isn't really a curse word (it actually refers to an Indian coin
of very little value, hence "I don't give a damn"); it's not strange
that Hermione wouldn't pull the boys up on it.<<

Random monkey:
"That makes sense, what with all that imperialism stuff... Around here,
it always was a swear word, unless it was used in a religious context,
and even then you had better speak it softly if you're young."

I'm probably just being really stupid, but how would damn be used in a religious context? Can you give me an example?


She also said:
"Another question, while we're on the subject of cultural differences:
Detentions in my neck of the woods are time spent right after school,
either doing work in the classroom or (if your teacher's nice) doing
homework. I understand that students are at Hogwarts for the whole day,
and the threat of not going home right after class isn't really there,
but is there any reason a detention would be served at midnight? And in
the dangerous Forbidden Forest? Is this just a plot device JKR uses?"

Umm, in some schools, detention is just where you sit there and do your homework or whatever, as you say, but in other schools, in a detention you have to do something helpful for a teacher, for example sort lost property or help put up a display. I presume they went at midnight because that was the time they had to go (for some reason) to carry out that particular task? When the boys have detentions at other times, it just depends when the teachers/members of staff want them, but then for example Lockhart makes Harry carry on until about midnight.

Eloise:
>>The supermarkets
display the equivalent price per pound of goods, but it is *illegal*
actually
to sell loose goods by the pound. It's a mad world.<<

Random monkey:
"It certainly is! It's illegal to sell by the pound?!"

Umm, yep, some people have been arrested (well, at least one). They are called the Metric Martyrs... this is gettin OT...



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