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RAIN CHECK

Posted by Bob on June 25, 2006

In Reply to: RAIN CHECK posted by pamela on June 25, 2006

: : : : whats the meaning of "RAIN CHECK"

: : : See Merriam-Webster -- www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/rain%20check If an event (an outdoor ball game) is canceled because of rain, a customer can get a "rain check" good for the next event. You can also use the expression to indicate you want to delay an event. Do it later. It is kinder than just saying no.

: : : Do you want to go for coffee?
: : : No. I'll take a rain check.

: : It is a peculiarly Westpondian concept: although it has travelled eastwards, it is not always understood and is frequently used incorrectly. Some of the confusion, I am sure, lies in the use of the Westpondian spelling 'check' rather than 'cheque'.

: : DFG

:
: This is a very common phrase in Australia, most often seen as "no rain checks" in advertising flyers for sales. Imagine that there is a sale on a partiular computer. You go to the shop and the computer is out of stock so the shop orders one in for you. "No rain checks" means that you will have to pay the full price and not the sale price even if you order the computer in the sale period. Pamela

We can predict the words rain check will eventually evolve into one word, raincheck. The process is slow, and it's at an early stage now, but check back here in 50 years, and you'll see.

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