The punctuation mark that makes you feel pretentious even when you somehow manage to use it correctly is rapidly becoming passé. The semicolon’s usage in English books has plunged by almost half in the last two decades, from 1 in every 205 words in 2000 to 1 in 390 today, the Guardian reported. First appearing in 1494 in the work of an Italian scholar, the semicolon is supposed to link two distinct but related clauses. These days, it’s found more often in computer programming and tattoos.
@kibcol1049 my brain still likes to use it, but I’m old. Language is a living thing. I’ve noticed changing prononciation for words I learned to say 60 years ago, too.
@Wendelin I've noticed most US spellings are now accepted too. Where's it all going to end and do we really care?
@kibcol1049 @Wendelin Not just spellings. Note how many americanisms are creeping into British English. Many younger people probably don't even realise they're actually using American expressions.
@WendyNowak
Previously, What can I get you, how can I help you, what'd you like. Now, How you doin' there? Reply, Please may I have (whatever) or, a (whatever) please. Now, can I get?
Usually in 'coffee shops' that used to be cafes.
The 'How you doin'?' really annoys me. 'I'm doing fine for a 73 year old with kidney and liver disease recovering from 2 types of cancer' is not really what they expect.
@kibcol1049 @Wendelin
@pthane @WendyNowak @kibcol1049 @Wendelin
Or as I sometimes say "still here". Although now I have a Granny Weatherwax I ain't dead t-shirt, I could just point to it.
@tiggy
A couple of years ago a friend (also with cancer but worse than me) and I set off on the 'Not Dead Yet' tour of English canals in my old boat. Didn't really work out, though no-one died. In a couple of weeks we're off again, different direction, shorter cruise from Northamptonshire to Oxford, then London then back via a different canal. Could be done in 3 weeks but we'll double that and do some sight seeing and rest days. I'll blog it here so follow...
@WendyNowak @kibcol1049 @Wendelin
Ooo! I've always wanted one of those - from whence came it, may I ask?
@bytebro @pthane @WendyNowak @kibcol1049 @Wendelin
The discworld emporium. A lovely but very tempting shop.
https://www.discworldemporium.com/product/granny-weatherwax-t-shirt/
@pthane @WendyNowak @kibcol1049 @Wendelin
Coffee shops existed in the UK before cafés; café also covers a multiplicity of establishments, from those selling simply hot drinks with a few cakes and/or biscuits, through those selling snacks, to those which are essentially a small low-price restaurant. So it is fair enough for the first listed to differentiate themselves by reverting to the older "coffee shop".