Don & doff (was: Natural Order of Events)
| From: | R A Brown <ray@...> |
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| Date: | Thursday, January 29, 2009, 9:12 |
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Michael Poxon wrote:
> In certain lects in Britain, I wouldn't say this pair is actually
> obsolete, for instance in such phrases as "doffing your cap" to
> someone. If it is obsolete, then it has only become so within living
> memory.
'don' and 'doff' are not obsolete in Britain - tho their use is
restricted. The main reason one doesn't hear "doffing your cap" much
nowadays is, surely, simply because few, if any, now do this.
When I was at school in the 1950s we were expected to wear caps when in
school uniform (indeed, not to do so meant punishment) and we were
expected to at least lift the cap slightly whenever we greeted a grown-up.
I wouldn't use 'don' of putting on ordinary clothing. It's use IME is
restricted to putting on special clothing or regalia.
--
Ray
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