The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #124681   Message #2757613
Posted By: Gurney
01-Nov-09 - 07:42 PM
Thread Name: BS: American English usages taking over Brit
Subject: RE: BS: American English usages taking over Brit
Beyond the pale = outside the fence/city wall/palisade as has been said. We still nail 'palings' on a fence.

Closet, in the English midlands, used to refer to the water closet or lavatory.

Hood = Bonnet, on an auto = car.