Often, the English language relies on implied knowledge. References to something unspoken, or words/phrases that are left out because it is assumed that the listeners know the reference. Often, this assumption is correct. But when it is not, the consequences can be at best baffling, and at worst aggravating and infuriating.
For some phrases the listener stands no chance of deriving the correct meaning:
The Near Side
"The near side front wheel was punctured" Which wheel is that?
For some reason I always assume that the speaker must be talking about the wheel near to him/her. No. Near to the kerb is what is assumed.
And no: I've never actually had a puncture. It was only an example. OK?
Brought Forward
Consider this statement: "Remember the deadline on the 1st of December? They moved it forward!"
I have a linear view of the concept of time, where "forwards" is towards the future. So I naturally interpret this to mean "delayed the deadline".
How very wrong. It actually means the opposite! My conclusion: The English look forward to the past...
With this in mind, expressions such as "The project has been knocked back" makes more sense: this means that the project has been moved backwards in time, which obviously is towards the future. Simple, right?
Inside and Outside Lanes
On a 3-lane motor way, which lane is the "Inside Lane"?
Were I to apply my razor-sharp logic, this means the fast lane (a.k.a. the over taking lane). Why? Because the two fast lanes are along the center, i.e. the inside of the motorway. This makes the fast lanes the inside lanes.
And the two slowest lanes are away along the outside of the motorway. So the slow lanes are the outside lanes. Simple, right?
But that was the normal logic. This should not be used in the UK. By now you should have guessed that the English interpret inside and outside lanes the other way around. Despite the fastest lanes are towards the center.
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