catgate Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 I can understand "standing up" as opposed to "sitting down", although since standing is done in an "up" mode and sitting is done in a "down" mode the use of "up" and "down" seems to be a bit overkill. All that having been said I find "standing out" to be weird. Even weirder is "standing down", because it can be done standing up or even sitting down, although "sitting up" always seems to involve the use of a chair, which would preclude doing it in a standing position.The immediate cause of this post is an article I have just seen concerning a "stand off". The opposite to "stand off" is to "stand on" and it is necessary here to say what it is that is being stood on. So if nothing is stated as to what particular thing is being stood on one naturally assumes "the floor". So in the case of the "stand off" it must be "standing off" the floor. I can recall a tale of some Jewish lad walking on a lake many, many years ago but I don't think your average Lancashire copper is anywhere near up to this sort of level yet, omnipotent as they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 What about the Americanism "listen up"? Where does that fit into the scheme of things? I think it's possibly adapted from the UK "shut up", which, confusingly, means almost the same as "shut down". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 I can't stand it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 I can't stand it...... Sit for it then. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 The waters become muddier.I have just seen a report concerning the behavioura certain local government politician and it he "stood down" on Monday.So Monday must have been fairly substantial to support the weight of a politician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 up is towards london down is away from so down can be the same direction as up depending whether you are up or down from a different standing point ,and if your in the smoke, its neither up or down, regardless of where you stand , but in my case,its quite often horizontal unless its snowing, then its neither up or down , but shunted to the side ...mud, apparently has no effect , but a couple of leaves ... and your @%&$ed ...sideways ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 up is towards london down is away from so down can be the same direction as up depending whether you are up or down from a different standing point ,and if your in the smoke, its neither up or down, regardless of where you stand , but in my case,its quite often horizontal unless its snowing, then its neither up or down , but shunted to the side ...mud, apparently has no effect , but a couple of leaves ... and your @%&$ed ...sideways !Have you been listening to the Grand Old Duke of York Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted March 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Well it all gradually becoming clearer.edit:-It all makes me think of the frustrated drake, that could not get up for down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Then of course there's trains: "The train standing at platform... " Anyone ever seen a train sitting at a platform? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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