Thursday 28 August 2008

Words - Reverse 'Stupidity'

I was just having a quick look at the Chicago Tribune news feed on my Google homepage and read this:

TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE: Popular bassinet linked to 2 deaths

My train of (stupid) thought was, "What's a bassinet? Is that some type of musical instrument? How could a musical instrument kill someone? Maybe there's something toxic in the metal?" My excuse is that perhaps that word just isn't used down here, although I just know someone is going to come and tell me differently, and I'll have to admit being a bit slow today. It reminded me of the time in England when I saw a sign that said "Zebra Crossing" and thought perhaps I'd unwittingly wandered into a wildlife reserve.

7 comments:

Muddiah said...

Amazing how one easily recognizes a word while another doesn't, even while living in the same country (at least for a significant amount of time). You slept in a bassinet for the first few weeks of life and there are pictures to show for it in the album. Was probably stores in a bedroom closet in HC until we moved and returned it to Gloria.

Did you read the article? Sometimes wonder how products known to cause death can continue being sold and cause more death until someone exposes the problem to public attention.

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for that comment on my blog about the cancer fundraiser. :)

About bassinets, I used the word both in the states and here and my friends here in Oz use the word too. I actually met a friend last week who brought her new baby to my house in the bassinet and I recall her using the word too...

Sorry couldn't make it to the pub last week. You met my friend Jen though. Hope to meet you soon!

Suzer said...

I knew it was just a 'blond' day for me;) Hubs has been working very late hours and so I've been up late...it's affecting my thought process.

Yep it was good to meet Jen. I'm sure we'll get a chance to meet up soon, and now that you have perm residency we can be sure we'll have a chance at some point:)

Muddiah said...

By the way, just what is a "Zebra Crossing"? Nothing come to mind for that one.

Suzer said...

Google it;) Maybe show you when you're here.

Anonymous said...

When I first moved to London in the mid-1990s, I remember that we were given an "orientation" to make sure to look the right way when crossing the streets and I loved how in Central London they write on the curb which way to look...I relied on that initially! The "Zebra-Crossing" was something new to me too! haha...

Muddiah said...

Wikipedia explained it all, replete with pics. Much like our crosswalks here in the states, although they seem to give more cues to drivers enabling the walkers, etc. to really have the right of way :)