HI, from England.
This week, I’m visiting friends in the UK.
It’s also the first week of summer vacation… I mean, holiday (that’s what the English say), so we’re doing some travelling with the kids since they’re out of school now.
Yesterday and today we’re in an area I’ve never explored before, called The Lake District.
An English Lesson In A Pub
After a long day of hiking around the lakes we found a nearby pub for dinner.
I ordered “an IPA on tap.”
“Eh?” said the waitress.
IPA is my favorite style of beer.
It stands for “India Pale Ale.”
And it’s actually a British invention.
“On tap” means it comes from the keg, not a bottle or a can.
But the waitress clearly didn’t understand.
I had to make the movement with my hands as if I was pouring a beer.
When she walked away I asked my English friend, What was the problem?
“We say ‘on draught’” she reminded me. (pronounced “draft”)
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “Thanks for the English lesson.”
It was pretty nice to read that…My self-confidence with English suddenly increased: an Englishman does not understand not only me but also an American. Super bomb. Thank you, Ryan, for your English teaching.
Yes, it happens!