What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Forum for off-topic matters. NO politics or religion.
Post Reply
Dave Sommer
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 3:15 am
Location: Shelter Cove, CA, USA

What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by Dave Sommer » Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:22 am

My wife and i read Agatha Christie, and occasionally P.D. James. The current James book is from 1986 and uses some words I can't quite understand from context. First is surgery; is that a meeting room? Next is an A registration for an automobile; what is that?
Thanks for your help

User avatar
dirk w dondorp
Posts: 164
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 12:51 pm
Location: Hamburg ( Dutch nationality)

Re: What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by dirk w dondorp » Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:05 am

a surgery is an operation in hospital -medical dept.
A class is excempted class- Tax dept.
that's where google comes in :-)
Dirk

John Penny
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:32 am
Location: Norfolk UK

Re: What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by John Penny » Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:53 pm

Dave,

It's difficult to give a precise answer without the context of the sentences but visiting or going to the surgery is usually referring to a visit to a General Practitioner. What would be described in the US as visiting the Doctor's Office. (Politicians also hold surgeries where members of the public can discuss issues in person with them but this is less frequently used)

If you are asking about the phrase "A" Registration then that is referring to the prefix or suffix letter on a vehicle registration plate which in the UK usually indicates the date of first registration and likely age of the vehicle so in this case would be either 1963(suffix A) or more likely in this case, 1983(prefix A)

Hope that helps :)

User avatar
Duncan M
Posts: 777
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:08 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by Duncan M » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:20 pm

Surgery refers to an operating room if Agatha is talking about a place.

i.thomson
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:16 am

Re: What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by i.thomson » Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:51 am

"surgery" here refers to the place where you consult the doctor (general Practitioner). The place where operations take place is the "operating theatre".

Ian Thomson

John Penny
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:32 am
Location: Norfolk UK

Re: What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by John Penny » Mon Feb 02, 2015 2:01 am

Duncan M wrote:Surgery refers to an operating room if Agatha is talking about a place.

As an approaching 60 year old English person I refer you to my correct answer to this question above :lol:

We do not refer to an operating theatre as a surgery.

P D James used (British) English in her books ;)

EdCallo
Posts: 51
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:07 am
Location: Shelton, CT

Re: What is the British meaning of words in P.D. James book

Post by EdCallo » Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:06 am

Watch enought British shows on PBS and you will realize that "surgery" is what we here in America refer to as the Doctors office.

Ed

Post Reply