And I Thought We Borrowed Words

“English doesn’t borrow from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.”

From a friend’s FB status this week, attributed to Thomas Schweim.

Tea

When the news reporter said “Shopkeepers are opening their doors bringing out blankets and cups of tea” I just smiled.  It’s like yes.  That’s Britain for you.  Tea solves everything.  You’re a bit cold?  Tea.  Your boyfriend has just left you?  Tea.  You’ve just been told you’ve got cancer?  Tea.  Coordinated terrorist attack on the transport network bringing the city to a grinding halt?  Tea dammit! And if it’s really serious, they may bring out the coffee.  The Americans have their alert raised to red, we break out the coffee.  That’s for situations more serious than this of course.  Like another England penalty shoot-out.

~Jslayeruk, as posted on Metaquotes Livejournal, in response to the July 2005 London subway bombings