More pavement graffiti from our local artist, Tramp. I interpret this as depicting rage against people who move slowly on the sidewalk -- a rage I often feel myself as a fast walker with places to go, especially against people who are glued to their phones while meandering. But maybe it's actually supposed to be critical of people like me? He added a message to it later but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I like how the snail's shell is decorated with a question mark.
More inventory yesterday -- I'm about halfway through the 900s, which is probably our biggest chunk of non-fiction by Dewey number. I can tell it's inventory time because I've split the knee out of my khakis, which happens every spring. (I spend a lot of time kneeling when I'm inventorying books on low shelves.) This is why every August, before the start of the next school year, I have to buy new pants (or "trousers," as the British would say, "pants" being underwear in the UK).
By the way, I just want to point out to all my British readers that I did in fact use the word "pavement" above to describe the sidewalk. I am trying to acknowledge the vocabulary of my adopted country. I don't promise to do it every time.
It is good to be aware of the difference in words...and different meanings for the same words!
ReplyDeleteWho said once that the USA would be easier to understand if it didn't use English but had its own completely different language!!?
I have often heard the phrase "two nations separated by a common language." Or something like that.
DeleteHave you any 942.64?! It's a good place!
ReplyDeleteI used to know so many 'deweys' off by heart but have forgotten most.
Alas, we do not! (As you saw in my subsequent post. :) )
DeleteWe might say pavement at times but the very common word is footpath. I don't think I've ever heard anyone hear use sidewalk.
ReplyDeleteI like the little drawing.
There wouldn't be too many books with the 994 classification.
DeleteFootpath is not a word I would use for a paved sidewalk. To me that suggests something more rural. We do have several 994 books, in fact!
DeletePavement graffiti sounds so much better to my ears than side-walk graffiti.
ReplyDeleteIt's what you're used to. Pavement to me seems very nonspecific. Anything paved is covered with pavement -- it's a material rather than a piece of infrastructure, if that makes sense.
DeleteTramp’s snail, with its question-mark shell, feels like both a critique of slow walkers and a mirror for the fast-paced among us—perfectly timed with your annual khaki-kneeling, book-inventorying, pavement-walking spring ritual.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's why it's intriguing -- it's open to interpretation!
DeleteI was utterly delighted to read your last paragraph. At last you have seen the light! If you and Michigan Dave decide to apply for British citizenship, I will now be happy to support your application and you are welcome to name me as a referee.
ReplyDeleteSchlepping all the way to Yorkshire to get you to sign my referee form might be more trouble than it's worth! :)
Delete(But thank you for the offer, even if tongue-in-cheek.)
DeleteBrit-speak practice...Walking along the pavement, eating a tom-ah-to before entering the block of flats and using the lift.
ReplyDelete😁😉 easy peasy.
And then boarding an aeroplane!
DeleteIn Australia, "footpath" would be the proper way to describe it. I never realised that "pavement" was the preferred Britishism. I must remember that when I get back to the UK later this year. Even when I am reading, I can always hear the American "twang" in the word "sidewark" (sic).
ReplyDeleteI don't think I say "sidewark," but I can see how it might sound that way to someone attuned to a British or Australian pronunciation.
DeleteOh the shame of using sidewalk instead of pavement! (But they are BOTH paved.) I love the sidewalk (ahem) graffiti and how the question mark is used.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Pavement is a building material, not a location -- at least in my mind!
DeleteDon't lose all your American expressions. Differences are what make people interesting. After all, I don't suppose you'll adopt a British accent.
ReplyDeleteI used to walk very fast - appreciate it while you can. I love the exasperated snail, whatever the cause of its displeasure.
No, my word usage has changed a bit but I still have a very American pronunciation!
DeleteI think the snail is wondering what's the hurry? Where's the fire?
ReplyDeleteBut it looks stressed!
DeleteI think the snail is terrified of all the fast walkers who won't see him but will hear the "squish".
ReplyDeleteOh, that could be. Maybe it's meant to make us pay attention to the little things.
DeleteI say this so many times but the world is full of people unaware of their surroundings and their affect on them.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. I saw it again this morning. One guy on a phone practically walked headlong into someone else, who gave him a dirty look.
DeleteYou should strap on those knee pads that gardeners use, Steve. Then you wouldn't ruin your khakis every year!
ReplyDeleteI can usually get the gist of what bloggers are saying no matter what country they are writing from or what typos they might make. ;)
I've thought about kneepads but a pair of pants is a small price to pay. They're usually mostly worn out by spring anyway.
DeletePerhaps instead of long pants you should wear bermuda shorts. With long white socks. And sandals. That would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteAnd a pith helmet!
DeleteAt first, I thought you were going to talk about snails in the garden eating plants.
ReplyDeleteWith Spring, our sidewalks are busy with both people and dogs. The dogs want to greet each other, and the sidewalks are not that wide. Some people get annoyed as they try to move past the dogs and owners.
In MA, pavement is usually asphalt pavement on the street. The sidewalk is where people walk, and storefronts run parallel. Regional differences are everywhere.
Even when I'm not writing about gardening, it sounds like I am. :) Your definition of pavement is also mine.
DeletePavement vs. sidewalk....I started thinking of Adele's song, "Chasing Pavements". After years of running and wobbly knees, I don't think I could do your job!
ReplyDelete"Chasing Pavements"? What does that mean? Even if we change the words to "Chasing Sidewalks" it doesn't make much sense. (I don't know the song.)
DeleteThe snail looks either angry 😠 or 😱 scared.
ReplyDeleteMy thought was angry, but I suppose it could be terrified of all the surrounding feet!
DeleteClassic
ReplyDeleteBut no Olga!
DeleteThat snail does look pretty disgusted. I can't believe you split the knee of your 'trousers'. That's a lot kneeling.
ReplyDeleteOur bottom shelves are right at floor level. I find it harder and harder to get down there as I get older!
DeleteI think we should all be proud of our original lingo. We should be proud of our own culture. So say Sidewalk.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, YP might get way too frustrated with me if I keep that up.
DeleteOf course I normally say pants (for trousers), but I also use the term "slacks". And sometimes instead of underwear I'll say underpants. I never say "panties" because I hate that word for some reason.
ReplyDeletePanties is a kind of a '70s Penthouse word, it seems to me.
DeleteIf I walked on the pavement here I would get run over by a vehicle! I do like that snail and would probably not have noticed the question mark if you hadn't mentioned it - it's very cleverly used. Someone suggested gardening knee pads and it would not only save your pantlegs (trouser legs!) but would help cushion your joints. I was going to say "aging" joints but refrained, except now I've said it anyway - oh dear!
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, they ARE aging, I can't argue that point. Maybe I should look into this kneepad thing.
DeleteI used "shoulder" to describe the side of the road where I walk (it's gravel, not paved) and that confused my Scottish friend. I do think sidewalk is a very logical term; it's on the sides of the road and it's for walking. Pavement is anything paved, right? I don't like slow walkers either as a fellow speedy one.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Pavement is anything paved, and it's also the material used for the paving.
DeleteOr it could just be a comic look at an escaped snail who ended up on the sidewalk and is fear of his existence with all the passers by!
ReplyDeleteIt could very well be that! I'm going to look into it further and report back.
DeleteI just returned from my annual sojourn to the UK. Even though I'm in my mid 70s, I still walk fairly quickly, but even so I try to stay to the side so those moving faster can pass me. However, I noticed there seems to be no 'lane' discipline--in either direction. People walked all over the place, right, left and center coming from either direction, so it was tough to maneuver in busy areas without being knocked about and not always just by those glued to their mobiles/phones. However, the situation that drove me a bit crazy was the tendency of groups of people to walk three/four/five abreast (usually slowly) without any regard to others. I was forced off the pavement to the street a couple of times as no one in a group gave way. Then their are the lost (tourists) who simply stop dead in their tracks to have a discussion, not bothering to move to the side to figure out their next move. I had more than a few occasions of sharing an eye-roll with other frustrated walkers trying to pass these pavement blockers.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am familiar with all of these issues! When I first moved here I tried to walk on the left, thinking sidewalk etiquette would mimic driving -- but as you pointed out, it really doesn't. People are all over the place. And yes, big groups walking four and five abreast make me crazy too.
DeleteAs for tourists, I try to cut them a little slack, as I'm sure I've done the same thing in other cities!
That could be it! I need to read the message that has appeared next to the snail, which will probably clarify things for all of us.
ReplyDelete