Thanks to Lori for the clarification on fanny packs.  I accept the derivation
of the term, but think the inventor or marketers guessed wrong about how
people would wear them.  Yes, I've seen them worn at the rear by bike riders,
but can't recall ever seeing anyone walking with one at the rear.  That seems
counter-intuitive to the easy-access utility they offer, whether you're
worried about pickpockets or not.  I accept the fact that we're stuck with
the term.

But getting back to them thar lorries: the Texans I know who probably know
about lorries may be college-educated, but they don't all have Ph.D.s.  I was
objecting to the statement that "NOBODY in Texas" knows what lorries
are--that's definitely hyperbole, and demonstrably untrue.  But even if only
a small minority knows "lorries," that doesn't prove much.  Surveys show most
Americans don't know who their congressional representatives are, 50% of high
school students can't locate the United States on a globe, etc.  Lots of
stuff, including many American English words, is as foreign to some Americans
as "lorry".  I suspect you could go into a Dairy Queen anyplace (not just in
Texas) and find that most people there couldn't tell you the meaning of
selected words in an average American newspaper article.

Since most British words can be found in any American dictionary (and I'll
bet American terms are included in good British dictionaries), I don't see a
few British variants as much of a stumbling block to Americans understanding
the Queen's English--or vice-versa.  I've never noticed separate brochures in
England for American and British tourists, and will have to compare them when
I'm there next.  That's a pleasant practice, but I hardly think it's
essential.  I honestly don't think it's accurate or helpful to assert that
English and "American" are different languages.  A true English dialect, such
as Robert Burns's Scottish (e.g., 'tis a braw, bricht, moonlicht nicht) is a
different matter.

We've wandered far afield with this thread.  To return to issues of clarity
in exhibit labels, here's my summary of the exchange: (1) Whatever your
language is, use standard forms of words, syntax, etc.  Slang, regionalisms,
and dialect limit the ability of a broad audience to decipher your labels.
(2) Standard contractions are understood by English speakers from both sides
of the pond, but might be puzzling for non-English speakers, depending on
whether contractions are routinely taught in English courses for non-English
speakers (I request enlightenment); however, I assume that forms without
contractions are clear to most English speakers and are therefore risk-free.
(3) Contractions obviously shorten label text (slightly)--a worthy goal--and
produce an informal feeling or style; but there is disagreement as to (a)
whether an informal style is desirable in an exhibit label, and (b) whether
contractions are harder for non-English speakers to decipher.  We're not
going to get consensus on the former, and no evidence on the latter has been
offered--nor is there consensus on how important it is.

Whew!  Next topic, please.  (Not that I'm trying to have the last word.)

David Haberstich

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