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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
We used to say in England that Americans spoke with a "Petrol accent" but I don't know what it means. Have any of heard that term before and know what it means?
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I have not heard that before, but would assume it means crude and unrefined.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Hmmm Well maybe. I don't think so. i.e.
Quite a few Americans came over here after the gambling prohibition ended in 1960. They liked to put these fellows on the Craps tables, thinking it was the American national game and their Petrol accent would prove good for business. Maybe more like exotic?
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Tried to research this, but the google entries are all either cars or this thread.
My assumption is that it's a slang term for a mid-to-mid-west American accent, assuming that many of those high-rollers made their money from oil.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
Marlin1894 Special user 559 Posts |
Maybe it was because so many Americans owned cars, as well as the fact that America was making so many cars around that time. In the 1960's there were over 400 cars per 1000 people in America as opposed to around 150 per 1000 in Great Britan. Could it have been because America had such a "car culture" that cars and petrol were considered a very American "thing"?
The oil money thing seems to make sense too, if in fact a lot of the high rollers made their money in oil. When I think of high rollin oil men I think of a Texas accent. |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I like the ''oil money'' suggestion myself. I think Agatha Christie, on those rare occassions that she would have an American in her books, generally made him a hay-seed with a thick Texas accent.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Marlin1894 Special user 559 Posts |
In the Queens English does petrol mean oil, or does it mean gasoline? Or can it mean either?
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Petrol means gasoline.
We use the word gas or gassing to mean talk or talking sometimes. Gas here though is, well that stuff you can't see.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
balducci Loyal user Canada 227 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-04-04 09:27, tommy wrote: I believe I may have the answer. Petrol Tanks is Cockney slang for Yanks. So saying that Americans speak with a Petrol accent follows directly. Howzat?
Make America Great Again! - Trump in 2020 ... "We're a capitalistic society. I go into business, I don't make it, I go bankrupt. They're not going to bail me out. I've been on welfare and food stamps. Did anyone help me? No." - Craig T. Nelson, actor.
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Cool! Thanks
I was just looking and all I could find was this: Nakko shall always be remembered for the "petrol accent" he has. He does not know hindi He does not know english I wonder why was he ever born. :) http://www.vineetdhanawat.com/melange/in......A4PS296G
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
Woland Special user 680 Posts |
Nice work, balducci.
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