Re: [boost] [Getting Started] 3rd revision - attn. library authors

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-12-15 15:36:41

Aleksey Gurtovoy <agurtovoy_at_[hidden]> writes:

> David Abrahams writes:
>> Aleksey Gurtovoy <agurtovoy_at_[hidden]> writes:
>> 
>> > David Abrahams writes:
>> >> IMO, in context, "the whole enchilada" is sufficiently obvious, but
>> >> if non-native speakers contradict me I'll happily remove it.
>> >
>> > FWIW, I wasn't familiar with the expression and had to look it up.
>> 
>> Had to because it was unclear, or just because you were curious?
>
> I guessed that it means something like "the whole thing", so mostly
> the latter.

That's reassuring.

>> > Also, and also FWIW, according to Cambridge International Dictionary
>> > of English
>> > (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=90418&dict=CALD), it's
>> > an Americanism :).
>> 
>> Yes, believe it or not there's such a thing as "proper American
>> English."
>
> I didn't mean to imply that there isn't, I was just noting that the
> phrase targets a very specific audience: native speakers of American
> English. 

It targets everyone because the phrase is (IMO) amusing and
comprehensible no matter what kind of English you were first taught.

> For instance, "... if you're looking for the whole thing"
> would still be colloquial but more "international", if you will.

But not the least bit colorful or amusing.

> Anyway, it's your call, like I said, all the above is FWIW :)

Well, it's worth a lot to me to know it didn't actually cause you a
comprehension problem :)

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com