Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 12:24:52 +0100 From: Aaron Drews Subject: Re: fall and autumn On Thu, 28 Aug 1997, Daniel Long wrote: }I have some questions about the use of "autumn" and "fall" in the US and }UK. }[...OED quotes...] } }For "fall", does this mean that "fall" is rare EVEN in literary use in }the UK, and thus not used in conversational speech? "Fall" is never used on this side of the water. It's entirely understood, especailly as an American lexeme, but never used. I can't say that I've read much British literature, but "fall" comes after "trip", not "summer" in what I have read :). } }For "autumn", I agree with what they say it being from Sept to Dec in }North America. Does it indeed start in August in UK usage? Well, I can vouch for the weather getting noticeably cooler and wetter in the past few days. I can't say if that's autumn setting in, or if it's a struggle between typical year-round Scottish weather and sunshine. The end of August is when the weather starts to change here, but autumn doesn't begin, at least as a concept, until September-ish. } Any insights, opinions? I've not enough insights and far too many opinions. :) --Aaron ___________________________________________________________________________ Aaron E. Drews aaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ling.ed.ac.uk Supervised Postgraduate Student http://www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~aaron The University of Edinburgh +44 (0)131 650-3485 Department of Linguistics fax: +44 (0)131 650-3962