posted
why do people who dont know trains always say that she took "THE" amtrak instead of she took amtrak to wash. oh well.
-------------------- The Copper Country Limited [Milwaukee Road-Soo Line] and the Peninsula 400 [CNW} still my favorites Posts: 175 | From: FENCE WI USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I have no problem whatever with a phrase such as "took the Amtrak", Mr. Irish. As a kid, I "took the New Haven" into New York. Others "took the UP out to the Coast".
I doubt if any passenger railroad has become a household word to the extent as has Amtrak.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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This is an interesting linguistic question.
People do not say "took the United" or "took the American" when referring to flying -- they would say "flew United" or "flew American" if they mentioned an airline at all. Extending this syntax would result in "ride Amtrak" or "took Amtrak."
But people have long said "took the train" and "took the Empire Builder" and perhaps that old construction is the origin of "took the Amtrak."
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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I think this is all good PR for Amtrak, with a lot of good, free advertising as many in the country are probably seeing an Amtrak train for the first time in their lives.
But when the party's over, which one of these politicos or celebutards are going to continue to take Amtrak? My guess---not a single one. They'll go back to flying first class, or renting a private executive jet, or traveling in their own personal Gulfstream jet. All the while preaching to everyone about being "green". Complete nonsense. (Or in the case of traveling musicians, hopping aboard their $2 million Prevost custom motor coach with imported marble, jacuzzi, plasma TV, personal chef, and personal driver).
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I think sometimes this is a regionalism. Sort of like "standing ON line" instead of "standing IN line" or "graduating high school" vs. "graduating FROM high school". Trust me, there are lots of folks out there who "fly the Delta" or "the Continental".
Frank in sunny and warm, again, SBA.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Two more things I find strange: 1. Saying "they took a couple trains" instead of "they took a couple OF trains"
2. "I could care less" when, of course, they actually mean "I could NOT care less".
The former is, I guess, just one of those things that got lost in translation. But the latter? I saw an example on this very forum just a few days ago from somebody who usually writes moderately well.
Concorde (the supersonic jet) used to be called "the Concorde" or just "Concorde", with the latter apparently being the preferred by the aviation world.
Oh, and don't get me started on "I would OF done that".
Geoff M. (E&OE)
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Frank, you could be right that it's all regional preference. (Do people on the East Coast take "the Regional" to Richmond?)
It just occurred to me that in the 18th century people would "take ship." Hector St. John de Crevecoeur wrote that "having arrived in Liverpool, I took ship for the New World."
Geoff, you're right on "couple [of]," but perhaps this is most often pronounced "coupla" in the U.S., the "a" being an elided "of." (Brits say "cuppa" for "cup of.")
Seems to me "I could care less" may be ironic rather than careless dropping of the negative, but I don't really know.
"Would of" definitely should be taken out behind the barn and shot.
Gotta take coupla Hondas to the garage . . .
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
There are differences in California freeway nomenclature as well. In SoCal, you take "the 101". In NorCal, you take "101".
Another pet peeve: There is no such word as "alls", as in "Alls you have to do is......"
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Don't get me started on seeing the alleged word "alright" used in print, sometimes in publications which institutionally should know better.
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Ocala Mike: And,in GB, one is "in hospital". Here, we say "in the hospitsl".
I don't know if you're referring to GB as in Great Britain, but I think I can explain that distinction (we use both). Generally we say "they are in hospital" for a generic statement that doesn't name any specific hospital, and "they are in the hospital" where the hospital is known to the recipient of the statement.
Geoff M.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Meanwhile back on Ms. Knowles, what I saw of the "People's Concert" at Lincoln Memorial today (switching back and forth between football commercials), I would dare say she is an accomplished performer.
But I guess to hear her perform an admittedly favorite ballad of mine, "At Last" (yes, I was young too...well, once upon a time) at one of the Inaugural Balls, you would have had to part with a few "Obamabucks' over the past two years.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
GBN, I'm a year older than you, and I still feel young. Well, with a few things wrong.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Sigh. I shoulda figgered this group would focus on the negative rather than the positive side of this story when I posted the link.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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What's so negative about all this? We're all still alive and kicking! Maybe not quite as well as Beyonce, but . . . Alright, all ready! (nudging Eric)
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
It always bothers me when someone (who shall remain nameless) says "I took the Amtrak Empire Builder (or which ever train they are talking about). My reaction is "oh is there another one" I guess we all have our little annoyances
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Given his musical tastes I'm surprised that Mr Toy has even heard of Beyonce - I didn't know she played the banjo!!
(sorry to laugh at my own joke but I've now got this image in my brain of a scantily clad Beyonce playing the banjo on MTV!)
Posts: 395 | From: england | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
Speaking of banjos, I guess it should be noted that age 89 Pete Seeger performed "of sorts' at the "People's Concert" with Bruce Springsteen in their rendition of "This Land is Your Land".
Mr. Seeger has been a performing artist (actively performing "back in my day") championing various liberal causes through his career (IIRC he was on the wrong side of McCarthy); I guess it is fortunate that he has lived to see a President (in 27 hours) Obama. Another liberal champion from this area, author Studs Terkel, deceased some four days before the election. Since he long hosted a daily talk show on WFMT 98.7, much of a day was spent eulogizing Mr. Terkel - one commentator remarked "Studs is looking down and knows Barack won" (sometimes I wish that station would simply "play the music' just as WNIB 97.1 did).
Continuing on the rails, I can recall a Texas Eagle advocacy group, TEMPO, had at their web page a photo of a group of banjo players "jamming' in the Eagle's Lounge car. I guess it was fun, but not sure if such is a proper means to advocate publicly funded rail passenger service.
Oh well, maybe there will be bagpipes at the Inaugural parade.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Speaking of banjos, I guess it should be noted that age 89 Pete Seeger performed "of sorts' at the "People's Concert" with Bruce Springsteen in their rendition of "This Land is Your Land".
Good thing Pete's grandson, Tao, was there to help him through the song. Saw Pete live plenty of times when he accompanied Arlo Guthrie at concerts. Not only was Pete on the "wrong" (left) side of McCarthy back in the day, but I believe he was alleged to be "pinker than pink." Today, most of his radical views from the 40's are pretty much mainstream, a testament to how far we've come.
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
I can't believe the copyright infringements that are on you tube; I guess it was one thing (hey it's the internet where anything goes) when such was owned by some geeks, but today it is mainstream media (Google).
Nevertheless enjoy - I think it is amazing to see an artist now 89 years of age that both Mike and myself remember from "our day" when we were college students still performing - even if others "carry the load":
A closing aside: how would "This land..." sound as a theme song for an Amtrak LD advertising campaign?
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Gil, a company called Ludlow Music used to own the rights to "This Land is Your Land"; not sure if they still do. It would make great advertising for Amtrak, and would even be greater as this country's national anthem, instead of that awful drinking song we now have.
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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quote:Originally posted by mr williams: Given his musical tastes I'm surprised that Mr Toy has even heard of Beyonce - I didn't know she played the banjo!!
She does???? WOW!
Might mention that my musical tastes cover the whole range of "B" music, Banjos, Beethoven, Beatles, Beach Boys, BTO, Bob (Dylan), Bobbys (McFerrin & Vinton), Boston, Blondie, Burt Bacharach, Buffalo Springfield, and, yes, Bagpipes! But Beyonce never appealed to me much aurally, though visually she is quite attractive. I did see her sing the Star Spangled banner on TV once and was quite impressed. I said if her records sounded like that I'd buy 'em Unfortunately, her popular vocal recordings are too doctored up to be enjoyable.
Thanks for Pete Seeger links, GBN. It was he who inspired my interest in learning the banjo. On his banjo head he wrote "This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender." Unfortunately, due to my ongoing aches and pains, I've had to lay the banjo aside for now.
posted
Very interesting discussion about..."I took the Amtrak".
I don't think I've ever said that. But I say things like this all the time,
"I took the Chief" "I took the [place name of train here]"
Perhaps when people say "I took the Amtrak", they really meant to say "I took the [place train name here]" but they simply don't know the train name. Thus the awkward sounding "the Amtrak".
Or maybe they think the train name is Amtrak. So it sort of sounds right if that's the case. Instead of "the Coast Starlight" it turns into "the Amtrak".
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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Interesting chat about regional speech patterns, etc., from our very literate membership. A couple of pet peeves I have are speakers who interject the phrase "you know" all through their talk; as example that talk recently by Caroline Kennedy. Too many "you knows" you know? Also ppl who constantly interject "ums" and "ahs" ino their speaking when they aren't too sure what they are talking about. Perhaps even our new President does this at times...as for railroad-specific aphorisms, I'll contribute "leaving out."
"What time does 775 leave out?" "775 leaves out at 12 noon." Why this is said instead of "leave" or just "depart" I don't know. But I have heard this phrase used by RR employees for decades, esp. in the South.
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Judge Wapner, the original judge on "People's Court", found the use of "you know" extremely annoying. Whenever litigants would use that phrase, he would snap back with, "No, I don't know - tell me". Unfortunately, it's become a permanent part of the national vocabulary and used extensively by folks who are either unable or reluctant to express their thoughts and feelings verbally. The younger generations have added "like" to the mix. I have heard many whose entire verbal output consists of "You know, like...." or "Like, you know...." repeated over and over and over, with no further words.
Posts: 20 | From: Zephyrhills, FL | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Railroad Bob: A couple of pet peeves I have are speakers who interject the phrase "you know" all through their talk; as example that talk recently by Caroline Kennedy. Too many "you knows" you know?
Oh well, off-topic at an already off-topic topic.
"You know" maybe that is what 'did 'er in", however if she had "nanny problems' (hate to say I know enough well to do people that have housekeepers and nannies who "just pay 'em" - and likely cash), that was likely more a factor.
Uncle Ted? sorry he is not well, but (likely in her talk) "Oh-pleeeez".
But Gov Paterson now has what he wants - a good looking white woman with a "preppie/Ivy" Emma Willard/Dartmouth background (appease those who supported Caroline on those parameters), from UPSTATE (appease that bunch that think New York is the City with the outerland appendage) and who harldy has "traction" to stand on her own come the 2010 General Election. Come '10, whoever is "king of the castle" in NY politics will "anoint' their own.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Regardless of what one might hold with respect her thoughts about pop-guns (both Hannity and Madcow have already been vocal regarding such; suffice to say "not exactly" in agreement with one another), it appears that Senator-Designate Gillibrand (D-NY) will bring a pro-passenger rail agenda (to what extent remains open to question) to Wash when she is sworn in tomorrow:
With Ms. Clinton and Mr. Schumer, Ms. Gillibrand said she discussed the possibility of creating a high-speed rail line that would run north up the New York State Thruway corridor, cross the state to Buffalo, then head back south, forming a triangle that would allow more jobs to move to the state’s northern regions.
While much of the high-speed rail plan would not be “shovel ready” within a few months’ time —a requirement to be considered under the Obama stimulus bill, she said — “there are some things we can do.”
Guess the ERIE will become a high-speed rail link.
Ms. Gillibrand also spoke of developing a plan for high-speed rail service to Montreal and to Buffalo, and emphasized her availability to those who are not familiar with her.
Now Montreal gets thrown in for good measure.
Addendum Jan 27 1006A PT: It appears that any references to Mrs. Gillibrand and the term "designate" may now be dropped:
2. "I could care less" when, of course, they actually mean "I could NOT care less".
Well said Geoff, I think that one bears repeating. People seem to use the incorrect form about 95% of the time.
Posts: 144 | Registered: Sep 2005
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