Britishism?

[Dave Wilton]

Book sounds unexceptional to me too. I'm not from Boston, but grew up in New
Jersey and have lived in DC, California, and now Toronto.

"Reserve" is used to obtain exclusive use of something for a limited period,
like a tennis court, airplane seat, restaurant table, or rental car.
Generally you don't reserve time (i.e., and appointment) with someone.


-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
Baker, John
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 10:22 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Britishism?

I'm a little surprised at this, because "book an appointment" sounds utterly
unexceptional to me, although "make" and "schedule" sound fine too.  Maybe
it's regional and I'm influenced by my years of living in the Boston area?
However, I gather Wilson has spent time there as well.

I could "reserve" a tennis court or tee time, but I've never reserved an
appointment.  It sounds like a somewhat tentative arrangement to me, as if
the person reserving the appointment then would have to book it as a second
step.


John Baker


-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
Arnold Zwicky
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2012 10:56 PM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Britishism?

On Oct 7, 2012, at 7:35 PM, Wilson Gray wrote:
>
>
> Harvard University Health Service site:
>
> " You may also _book_ an appointment."
>
>
> I've always scheduled appointments, heretofore.

me too.  on the other hand, you book tennis, squash, or racquetball courts,
and you book tee times on golf courses.  "reserve" is possible, but to my
ear it's more formal.

arnold, a racquetball player in a previous life

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org