Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Jul 30th 2007, 6:07 am
#1
Heading for Poppyland
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,727
Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Americans are very sweet people and I love their country .. (I love it to death, to use a quaint americanism.)
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
Jul 30th 2007, 6:14 am
#2
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,025
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Americans are very sweet people and I love their country .. (I love it to death, to use a quaint americanism.)
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
Jul 30th 2007, 6:27 am
#3
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Americans are very sweet people and I love their country .. (I love it to death, to use a quaint americanism.)
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
Jul 30th 2007, 6:28 am
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Americans are very sweet people and I love their country .. (I love it to death, to use a quaint americanism.)
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
Jul 30th 2007, 6:32 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,820
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
I will not coment on this or let Kate see it because I would like sex sometime this week 
Jul 30th 2007, 6:51 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
poor Lamb.
Jul 30th 2007, 8:07 am
#7
Account Closed
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 700
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Americans are very sweet people and I love their country .. (I love it to death, to use a quaint americanism.)
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
Jul 30th 2007, 8:14 am
#8
Account Closed
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 700
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Lowe's calls it a "Vanity"
Jul 30th 2007, 8:19 am
#9
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Old charmer - an old and ugly house
Stunning house - the house is not ugly
Tudor - two bedrooms are in the attic which is not insulated; very hot in summer and very cold in winter
Cape Cod - styled after Third World slum dwellings
Sunny corner lot - noisy intersection of two busy streets
Easy freeway access - noisy arterial street close to freeway
Low maintenance lot - no yard; the kids will have to play in the street
Meticulously maintained in the original condition - the appliances are 50 years old
Ready to remodel - the house is about to collapse; you will have to invest twice the asking price in remodel before you can move in
Newly remodeled kitchen - 50-year old cabinetry and faucets have been replaced with cheap modern equivalents
Ready to move in - the interior has been painted with one coat of cheap paint
Desirable neighborhood - this little house is extravagantly overpriced because the neighborhood has a snobbish reputation
1 car garage - you can drive your Ford Escort into the garage but there is no room to open the door
In-city living - it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood after dark
Recreation room with wet bar - basement has been painted and has a faucet
Large family room - large basement
Bedroom in basement - basement has a 1′ by 2′ window
Lots of storage space - basement too small to be called a family room
Partial mountain view - you can see the tip of Mt. Olympus if you climb the roof
Territorial view - good view of your neighbor’s bedroom window
Build sweat equity - the house is not inhabitable
Storybook - the house is old and the roof is not flat
Efficiently designed kitchen - the kitchen is too small to fit two people at the same time
Seasonal creek - muddy ditch across the property
Usable land - all the trees are gone.
Doll-house - tiny place filled with ugly knick-knacks.
Country living - too far from anywhere to drive to work
Country in the city - a grotesquely overpriced large lot with a 2 bedroom house built before World War I
Cozy - not a single room could fit a full size bed
Three season sunroom - a small addition the owner did not have enough money to insulate
Close to all amenities - the backyard is a shopping mall parking
Beachfront property, complete remodeling in 1996, a steal at this asking price - hurricane Andrew motivated the remodeling; no hurricane insurance available, at any price
Must see inside - the outside is ugly
Motivated sellers - subtract 15% from the asking price
Easy to heat - see “cozy”
Wildlife nearby - children and pets get ticks and fleas
Near transportation - Amtrak train goes through the backyard, every 15 minutes, day and night
Pet friendly neighborhood - organic matter constantly deposited in the front lawn
Neighborhood watch - your next door neighbor has binoculars trained on your house
Just available - previous owner just died on the premises, hope you don’t believe in ghosts
Stunning house - the house is not ugly
Tudor - two bedrooms are in the attic which is not insulated; very hot in summer and very cold in winter
Cape Cod - styled after Third World slum dwellings
Sunny corner lot - noisy intersection of two busy streets
Easy freeway access - noisy arterial street close to freeway
Low maintenance lot - no yard; the kids will have to play in the street
Meticulously maintained in the original condition - the appliances are 50 years old
Ready to remodel - the house is about to collapse; you will have to invest twice the asking price in remodel before you can move in
Newly remodeled kitchen - 50-year old cabinetry and faucets have been replaced with cheap modern equivalents
Ready to move in - the interior has been painted with one coat of cheap paint
Desirable neighborhood - this little house is extravagantly overpriced because the neighborhood has a snobbish reputation
1 car garage - you can drive your Ford Escort into the garage but there is no room to open the door
In-city living - it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood after dark
Recreation room with wet bar - basement has been painted and has a faucet
Large family room - large basement
Bedroom in basement - basement has a 1′ by 2′ window
Lots of storage space - basement too small to be called a family room
Partial mountain view - you can see the tip of Mt. Olympus if you climb the roof
Territorial view - good view of your neighbor’s bedroom window
Build sweat equity - the house is not inhabitable
Storybook - the house is old and the roof is not flat
Efficiently designed kitchen - the kitchen is too small to fit two people at the same time
Seasonal creek - muddy ditch across the property
Usable land - all the trees are gone.
Doll-house - tiny place filled with ugly knick-knacks.
Country living - too far from anywhere to drive to work
Country in the city - a grotesquely overpriced large lot with a 2 bedroom house built before World War I
Cozy - not a single room could fit a full size bed
Three season sunroom - a small addition the owner did not have enough money to insulate
Close to all amenities - the backyard is a shopping mall parking
Beachfront property, complete remodeling in 1996, a steal at this asking price - hurricane Andrew motivated the remodeling; no hurricane insurance available, at any price
Must see inside - the outside is ugly
Motivated sellers - subtract 15% from the asking price
Easy to heat - see “cozy”
Wildlife nearby - children and pets get ticks and fleas
Near transportation - Amtrak train goes through the backyard, every 15 minutes, day and night
Pet friendly neighborhood - organic matter constantly deposited in the front lawn
Neighborhood watch - your next door neighbor has binoculars trained on your house
Just available - previous owner just died on the premises, hope you don’t believe in ghosts
Jul 30th 2007, 8:37 am
#10
Account Closed
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 700
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Old charmer - an old and ugly house
Stunning house - the house is not ugly
Tudor - two bedrooms are in the attic which is not insulated; very hot in summer and very cold in winter
Cape Cod - styled after Third World slum dwellings
Sunny corner lot - noisy intersection of two busy streets
Easy freeway access - noisy arterial street close to freeway
Low maintenance lot - no yard; the kids will have to play in the street
Meticulously maintained in the original condition - the appliances are 50 years old
Ready to remodel - the house is about to collapse; you will have to invest twice the asking price in remodel before you can move in
Newly remodeled kitchen - 50-year old cabinetry and faucets have been replaced with cheap modern equivalents
Ready to move in - the interior has been painted with one coat of cheap paint
Desirable neighborhood - this little house is extravagantly overpriced because the neighborhood has a snobbish reputation
1 car garage - you can drive your Ford Escort into the garage but there is no room to open the door
In-city living - it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood after dark
Recreation room with wet bar - basement has been painted and has a faucet
Large family room - large basement
Bedroom in basement - basement has a 1′ by 2′ window
Lots of storage space - basement too small to be called a family room
Partial mountain view - you can see the tip of Mt. Olympus if you climb the roof
Territorial view - good view of your neighbor’s bedroom window
Build sweat equity - the house is not inhabitable
Storybook - the house is old and the roof is not flat
Efficiently designed kitchen - the kitchen is too small to fit two people at the same time
Seasonal creek - muddy ditch across the property
Usable land - all the trees are gone.
Doll-house - tiny place filled with ugly knick-knacks.
Country living - too far from anywhere to drive to work
Country in the city - a grotesquely overpriced large lot with a 2 bedroom house built before World War I
Cozy - not a single room could fit a full size bed
Three season sunroom - a small addition the owner did not have enough money to insulate
Close to all amenities - the backyard is a shopping mall parking
Beachfront property, complete remodeling in 1996, a steal at this asking price - hurricane Andrew motivated the remodeling; no hurricane insurance available, at any price
Must see inside - the outside is ugly
Motivated sellers - subtract 15% from the asking price
Easy to heat - see “cozy”
Wildlife nearby - children and pets get ticks and fleas
Near transportation - Amtrak train goes through the backyard, every 15 minutes, day and night
Pet friendly neighborhood - organic matter constantly deposited in the front lawn
Neighborhood watch - your next door neighbor has binoculars trained on your house
Just available - previous owner just died on the premises, hope you don’t believe in ghosts
Stunning house - the house is not ugly
Tudor - two bedrooms are in the attic which is not insulated; very hot in summer and very cold in winter
Cape Cod - styled after Third World slum dwellings
Sunny corner lot - noisy intersection of two busy streets
Easy freeway access - noisy arterial street close to freeway
Low maintenance lot - no yard; the kids will have to play in the street
Meticulously maintained in the original condition - the appliances are 50 years old
Ready to remodel - the house is about to collapse; you will have to invest twice the asking price in remodel before you can move in
Newly remodeled kitchen - 50-year old cabinetry and faucets have been replaced with cheap modern equivalents
Ready to move in - the interior has been painted with one coat of cheap paint
Desirable neighborhood - this little house is extravagantly overpriced because the neighborhood has a snobbish reputation
1 car garage - you can drive your Ford Escort into the garage but there is no room to open the door
In-city living - it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood after dark
Recreation room with wet bar - basement has been painted and has a faucet
Large family room - large basement
Bedroom in basement - basement has a 1′ by 2′ window
Lots of storage space - basement too small to be called a family room
Partial mountain view - you can see the tip of Mt. Olympus if you climb the roof
Territorial view - good view of your neighbor’s bedroom window
Build sweat equity - the house is not inhabitable
Storybook - the house is old and the roof is not flat
Efficiently designed kitchen - the kitchen is too small to fit two people at the same time
Seasonal creek - muddy ditch across the property
Usable land - all the trees are gone.
Doll-house - tiny place filled with ugly knick-knacks.
Country living - too far from anywhere to drive to work
Country in the city - a grotesquely overpriced large lot with a 2 bedroom house built before World War I
Cozy - not a single room could fit a full size bed
Three season sunroom - a small addition the owner did not have enough money to insulate
Close to all amenities - the backyard is a shopping mall parking
Beachfront property, complete remodeling in 1996, a steal at this asking price - hurricane Andrew motivated the remodeling; no hurricane insurance available, at any price
Must see inside - the outside is ugly
Motivated sellers - subtract 15% from the asking price
Easy to heat - see “cozy”
Wildlife nearby - children and pets get ticks and fleas
Near transportation - Amtrak train goes through the backyard, every 15 minutes, day and night
Pet friendly neighborhood - organic matter constantly deposited in the front lawn
Neighborhood watch - your next door neighbor has binoculars trained on your house
Just available - previous owner just died on the premises, hope you don’t believe in ghosts
Jul 30th 2007, 10:38 am
#11
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Must be something with real estate agents worldwide...
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468604
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468604
Jul 30th 2007, 3:05 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 8,497
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Americans are very sweet people and I love their country .. (I love it to death, to use a quaint americanism.)
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
But why can they not forget the euphemisms, and just come out and say what they mean? I just read a real estate listing; apparently "THE STAIRCASE HAS A SMALL ROOM UNDERNEATH WITH A QUARTER BATH."
Now, I'm familiar wit the real estate term, a "half bath." That means a bathroom without a bath (I hope that is clear.) A quick search on google elicited the information that a quarter bath was another name for ... just a washbasin. Say what??? What would be so tragic in saying "a washbasin?" After all, not a "rude word" like TOILET.....
Robin
There's a CARFAX commercial making fun of this very thing on air right now. The point of the ad is, get a CARFAX report so you know what you're getting.
"Some flood damage" is replaced by "New upholstery!"
etc.
Jul 30th 2007, 4:25 pm
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,455
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Very good Ray.
British estate agents always seem to say that a house "boasts" something, generally budget double-glazing or laminate flooring.
British estate agents always seem to say that a house "boasts" something, generally budget double-glazing or laminate flooring.
Jul 30th 2007, 4:42 pm
#14
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Motivated Sellor amuses me.
Why would you advertise how desperate you are?
Why would you advertise how desperate you are?
Jul 30th 2007, 4:49 pm
#15
'In limboland'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,880
Re: Why are Americans so mealy-mouthed?
Must be something with real estate agents worldwide...
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468604
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468604
...or 'bijou', means tiny.
