Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Letters

Caught out at dinner by the trap-bath split in southern English accents

A dish containing roast potatoes.
David Collins recalls the faux pas of an old friend’s new girlfriend when she turned down an extra helping of potatoes. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

Mention of the “trap-bath split” in Kirsty Major’s article on accents (Opinion, 3 November) reminds me of an incident when a posh old friend was introducing a new girlfriend to his parents. Trying to make a good impression, she adopted the long A in words such as “ba(r)ths” and “ca(r)stles”. Later, offered an extra helping of roast potatoes at dinner, she stopped all conversation by declaring: “Thank you, but no – they’ll make me fart.”
David Collins
Kidderminster, Worcestershire

• At 18, I was working away from my north-east home at a hotel in Devon. A housekeeper came into my room and asked if I had any “caps”. “No, I don’t wear caps,” I said. “You must have one… ah look, here’s one,” she said – and picked up a cup.
Alan Walker
Torrelodones, Spain

Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.