Britpick Question

[amberfocus]

Do you use the term prison as well as jail (gaol) for the place you lock up your criminals?

Comments

[cdixon-wales.livejournal.com]

Yep. Either is used over here.
hope that helps.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[lillibetm3.livejournal.com]

We'd use the word prison rather than the word jail.

We would understand what you meant if you said jail, but it would still sound a little odd. Prison is far more commonly used.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love!

[crimedoc1.livejournal.com]

Yes, they do. Prisons in England and Wales are mainly run by Her Majesty's Prison service, and generally are refered to as HM Prison such-and-such. For example, HMP Holloway, which is a female prison in London. There are some private prisons as well. You've also got the Scottish Prison Service and the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind, although for this it's just a throwaway line.

[crimedoc1.livejournal.com]

Oh, forgot to mention. "Gaol" is an older spelling and is not commonly used in England any more.

[maniacalshen.livejournal.com]

What's embarrassing is how many years of my life I spent thinking "gaol" was pronounced phonetically and not like, "jail." I can't be the only American that's happened to, though. XD

[crimedoc1.livejournal.com]

Naaah, I used to think the same thing. :-)

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Okay. I've seen it used in Who fics so thought it might be the way you spell it.

[solarflar3.livejournal.com]

Probably mainly prison rather than jail. Often if you were referring to someone being sent to prison (in an informal conversation between friends for example), you would say they had been 'locked up' or 'sent down (for 2 years or whatever)'.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Ah. We have sent down the river as a way of saying sent to jail.

[electrictoes.livejournal.com]

Oh hello, I didn't see you were back. Good holiday? :D

Yep, prison more than jail. Although, depending how common the person is, they might say someone was 'banged up' or 'locked up' instead of 'in prison'. Some people still use the phrase 'at Her Majesty's pleasure' too.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Very good holiday. Thanks.

[silencing.livejournal.com]

I have nothing to help you, but I'm fangirling ridiculously at the idea of more fic from you. It's sad how much I love fanfic

[mitashade.livejournal.com]

You're icon sums me up perfectly. I wish I could live inside my head and the fandom sometimes. Guh, life is boring most of the time.

Anyway, I couldn't agree more!

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

*grins* Thank you.

[captain91.livejournal.com]

nothing much to ad...

but who are you thinkoing of putting in the slammer?!

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

No one. It's just a throwaway line. Rose doesn't wanna get thrown in a Parisian prison for doing it on the Eiffel Tower with Jonathon. *smirks*

[captain91.livejournal.com]

.. and there's me hoping they'd get put in prison after a public sex session

i think you've fully corrupted me dear!