Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 12:24:52 +0100

From: Aaron Drews aaron[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]LING.ED.AC.UK

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