0
Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
English county
Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county in what state?" This, needless to say, means nothing to me. I recall other evidence that the term "English county" has a meaning of its own to an American, but I can't for the life of me remember where, and I've no idea at the moment of what that meaning would be. Neither OneLook nor Google have revealed any answers as yet.
Here in Britain, it has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England.
So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?
Stewart.
My e-mail is valid but not my primary mailbox, aside from its being the unfortunate victim of intensive mail-bombing at the moment. Please keep replies on the 'group where everyone may benefit.
Here in Britain, it has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England.
So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?
Stewart.
My e-mail is valid but not my primary mailbox, aside from its being the unfortunate victim of intensive mail-bombing at the moment. Please keep replies on the 'group where everyone may benefit.
Top answer
Stewart Gordon wrote on 15 Jun 2004: [nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ... has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England. [/nq] Devonshire, for example.
- Stewart Gordon wrote on 15 Jun 2004: [nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ...
- has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England.
- [/nq] Devonshire, for example.
- Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
- For email, replace numbers with English alphabet.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
68 Answers
0
Stewart Gordon wrote on 15 Jun 2004:
[nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ... has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England. So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?[/nq]
Devonshire, for example.
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
For email, replace numbers with Eng
[nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ... has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England. So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?[/nq]
Devonshire, for example.
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
For email, replace numbers with Eng
00
[nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ... has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England. So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?[/nq]
This American hasn't encountered the phrase in American English. In Nova Scotia people sometimes go to great lengths to distinguish Acadian regions from
This American hasn't encountered the phrase in American English. In Nova Scotia people sometimes go to great lengths to distinguish Acadian regions from
00
[nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ... to me. I recall other evidence that the term "English county" has a meaning of its own to an American,[/nq]
As far as I know, Americans that are at all familiar with England use the same definition of an English county that you do. There are Americans that don't understand that
As far as I know, Americans that are at all familiar with England use the same definition of an English county that you do. There are Americans that don't understand that
00
[nq:1]So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?[/nq]
All it suggests to this American (CUE PATRIOTIC MUSIC) is "a county in England".
Most US states are divided administratively into 'counties', though I believe Louisiana calls the equivalent 'parishes' and, IIRC, Alaska calls them 'boroughs'.
All it suggests to this American (CUE PATRIOTIC MUSIC) is "a county in England".
Most US states are divided administratively into 'counties', though I believe Louisiana calls the equivalent 'parishes' and, IIRC, Alaska calls them 'boroughs'.
00
[nq:1]Some years ago I was asked, by someone over the Internet trying to find out my location, "an English county ... has an unambiguous and literal meaning of a county in England. So, what do you Americans understand by "English county"?[/nq]
Nothing special. Just a county in England. What you probably encountered was somebody who hadn't fully internalized that in some countries there may not
Nothing special. Just a county in England. What you probably encountered was somebody who hadn't fully internalized that in some countries there may not
00
[nq:1]Most US states are divided administratively into 'counties', though I believe Louisiana calls the equivalent 'parishes' and, IIRC, Alaska calls them 'boroughs'.[/nq]
These are three different levels of division over here.
A county is divided into districts/boroughs - I'm not sure of the distinction here. It typically covers one or a few towns along with surrounding villages, tho
These are three different levels of division over here.
A county is divided into districts/boroughs - I'm not sure of the distinction here. It typically covers one or a few towns along with surrounding villages, tho
00
"Stewart Gordon" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
[nq:1][/nq]
[nq:2]Most US states are divided administratively into 'counties', though I believe Louisiana calls the equivalent 'parishes' and, IIRC, Alaskacalls them 'boroughs'.[/nq]
[nq:1]These are three different levels of division over here. A county is divided into districts/boroughs - I'm not sure of the distinction here.[/nq]
Boroughs
[nq:1][/nq]
[nq:2]Most US states are divided administratively into 'counties', though I believe Louisiana calls the equivalent 'parishes' and, IIRC, Alaskacalls them 'boroughs'.[/nq]
[nq:1]These are three different levels of division over here. A county is divided into districts/boroughs - I'm not sure of the distinction here.[/nq]
Boroughs
00
Districts can call themselves Boroughs if they like - it is purely a matter of choice. The more urbanised ones tend to use "Borough".
Don Aitken
Mail to the addresses given in the headers is no longer being read. To mail me, substitute "clara.co.uk" for "freeuk.com".
Don Aitken
Mail to the addresses given in the headers is no longer being read. To mail me, substitute "clara.co.uk" for "freeuk.com".
00
[nq:1]Districts can call themselves Boroughs if they like - it is purely a matter of choice. The more urbanised ones tend to use "Borough".[/nq]
Is it that simple? I had an idea that Borough was actually a special status granted by Act of Parliament - indeed, representing for the most part a primarily urbanised area.
Redwine
Hamburg
(previously: Berlin, Northants, Derbs, Staff
Is it that simple? I had an idea that Borough was actually a special status granted by Act of Parliament - indeed, representing for the most part a primarily urbanised area.
Redwine
Hamburg
(previously: Berlin, Northants, Derbs, Staff
00
[nq:2]Districts can call themselves Boroughs if they like - it is purely a matter of choice. The more urbanised ones tend to use "Borough".[/nq]
[nq:1]Is it that simple? I had an idea that Borough was actually a special status granted by Act of Parliament - indeed, representing for the most part a primarily urbanised area.[/nq]
And how does a borough get to be a "Royal Borough"?
[nq:1]Is it that simple? I had an idea that Borough was actually a special status granted by Act of Parliament - indeed, representing for the most part a primarily urbanised area.[/nq]
And how does a borough get to be a "Royal Borough"?
0
Related Questions