Definitions by Clansman
Words of one syllable or less
Phrase used when advising somebody of facts /an issue /and explanation (etc) using the most simplest of words in order that they may understand.
Often associated with 'full and frank conversation' the phrase 'words of one syllable or less' is actually gramatically incorrect in its use of 'or less' (essentially 'or less' makes no sense whereas 'or fewer' would be correct) but nicely conveys the situation.
Believed to have originated with the staff of Britain's railways in Southern England.
Often associated with 'full and frank conversation' the phrase 'words of one syllable or less' is actually gramatically incorrect in its use of 'or less' (essentially 'or less' makes no sense whereas 'or fewer' would be correct) but nicely conveys the situation.
Believed to have originated with the staff of Britain's railways in Southern England.
"What do you mean Bert has done it wrong again?
I'd better go and explain how to do it in words of one syllable or less"
I'd better go and explain how to do it in words of one syllable or less"
Words of one syllable or less by Clansman July 12, 2009
Ten items or less
What supermarkets display when they actually mean 'Ten items or fewer'. Indeed 'ten items or less' is gramatical nonsense, has no real meaning and therefore qualifies as slang. That is 'or less' than what?
There are a significant number of shoppers who, when challenged about their (say) eleven items, carefully explain that the sign is gramatically meaningless and therefore not understood /does not conform to the English language.
Usually this is lost on checkout staff /clerks and often not understood by store management either. Indeed it is probably lost on the store-chain management as a whole who probably authorised the nonsensical signs in the first instance.
Higher-end supermarkets have been noted as correctly using the term 'ten items or fewer'.
That an item is not necessarily a singular object is another related issue.
There are a significant number of shoppers who, when challenged about their (say) eleven items, carefully explain that the sign is gramatically meaningless and therefore not understood /does not conform to the English language.
Usually this is lost on checkout staff /clerks and often not understood by store management either. Indeed it is probably lost on the store-chain management as a whole who probably authorised the nonsensical signs in the first instance.
Higher-end supermarkets have been noted as correctly using the term 'ten items or fewer'.
That an item is not necessarily a singular object is another related issue.
Clerk "You shouldn't use this aisle as you have eleven items in your basket and the sign says ten items or less"
Customer "I'm sorry but your sign does not make any sense. As 'or less' is grammatical nonsense I couldn't understand it"
Clerk "Eh?"
Customer "I'm sorry but your sign does not make any sense. As 'or less' is grammatical nonsense I couldn't understand it"
Clerk "Eh?"
Ten items or less by Clansman July 12, 2009
spherical objects
spherical objects by Clansman April 12, 2009
full and frank discussion
Polite term used within the UK railway industry for giving someone (usually but not exclusively another member of staff) a severe reprimand or right bollocking for something they had done wrong, even dangerous or that they had allowed to happen.
A full and frank discussion may occur in lieu of a more formal reprimand such as a Form One offence.
full and frank discussion by Clansman April 9, 2009