PARDON = EXCUSE ME ?

In American English:

1 - Excuse me! is most common.
2 - All but Sixth March ring true.

CJ

but March sixth is just fine.

There is great regional variation in how people say "I didn't hear what you just said, could you please repeat it?"

Some places say "excuse me?" You could also hear "I beg your pardon?" or "What?" or "Please?" or "Come again?" or a lot of other things.

I have a travel guide for Britain that advises using "Sorry" in place of the American "Excuse me" for when you accidentally bump into people in public. It claims that the British think that if you say "Excuse me", you must have just expelled something noxious from somewhere. I don't know if that's true.

CJ

I recall reading a humorous item in Reader's Digest some years ago where a bank teller told of her inability to understand a drive-up customer's request. She said, "Please?" meaning, "Would you please repeat that?" The irritated customer said, "May I borrow a pen, PLEASE?"

Ben

In Britain you say 'excuse me' to politely ask people to get out of your way so you can walk through to wherever they are blocking.

You say 'sorry' if you bump into someone or tread on their toes. Oddly enough, we also say 'sorry' if someone else bumps into us or treads on our toes.

'Pardon me' is for apologising for various noxious emissions.

AnonymousI recall reading a humorous item in Reader's Digest some years ago where a bank teller told of her inability to understand a drive-up customer's request. She said, "Please?" meaning, "Would you please repeat that?" The irritated customer said, "May I borrow a pen, PLEASE?"

Ben

I also remember that story! It's the reason I included

If an American didn't understand me and said 'please?'

I'd then reply 'sorry?' because I wouldn't understand them...

Which they would find confusing so then they'd say 'please' again.

That could carry on for a long time couldn't it.

Nona, are you familiar with the "Who's on First?" routine? I think we could write another one now...