As a Canadian, this is the first time I heard the term half-staff, while I’ve heard half-mast numerous times. So I believe it’s much more an American thing and not a North American thing.
Having worked with Americans (US) for many years I think it is more of a doubling down on being wrong and just committing to it out of sheer bloody mindedness. Like the “tabling” something nonsense.
The other one that drives me nuts is the insistence that only physicians can use the honorific of “doctor”. It’s actually become part of the Globe and Mail’s style guide.
As a Canadian, this is the first time I heard the term half-staff, while I’ve heard half-mast numerous times. So I believe it’s much more an American thing and not a North American thing.
Having worked with Americans (US) for many years I think it is more of a doubling down on being wrong and just committing to it out of sheer bloody mindedness. Like the “tabling” something nonsense.
Tabling something everywhere else means to put a topic into discussion immediately. Seppos think it means to discuss later or postpone.
Note: I use seppos affectionately of course.
Wait, there is a history to tabling I don’t know about? Do tell.
I wish it were true, but Americanism have been creeping into our English for years. The Senate finally stepped in a few years ago to clarify this issue: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-debate-is-over-senate-of-canada-says-its-half-mast-not-half-staff-when-lowering-flags
But you can still find documents where CBC was confused on the issue: https://www.cbc.ca/news2/indepth/words/flagflap.html
The other one that drives me nuts is the insistence that only physicians can use the honorific of “doctor”. It’s actually become part of the Globe and Mail’s style guide.
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