Tag Archives: BBC web site

“White House cool on car bail-out”

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If you keep an eye on the BBC News web page, then you probably look at the main headlines on the top right of the page. Now to save space, these are written in a very condensed form, using short words where possible. When I read this post, I realised it could have two opposing meanings on the two sides of the Atlantic. Does it mean the White House gave the bail-out plan a cool, or unenthusiastic reception (British meaning), or were they easy going about it going ahead (US meaning)? Of course it is the former, but a cute example of ambiguity in language I thought…

Category: Language | Tags: ,