Puzzle of a bostin' dog
Your piece on the word "bostin'" (September 9) brought immediately to my mind an amusing incident which occurred on a June holiday at my daughter's in Edmonton, Canada, earlier this year.
We were out walking together in the rather upmarket area where she lives when, having crossed the road, I saw a well-dressed young couple coming towards us, the young lady having one dog, the feller having two terrier type dogs - all on leads of course.
Passing by them I asked the fellow (me being formally part of a "Staffie" family): "Are they French bulldogs?" He stopped, looked at me and said: "No, they are pugs".
Automatically almost, I said: "They look bostin' dogs". His face assumed complete puzzlement. He thought a bit then offered: "Boston Terriers?"
Subduing my obvious mirth at this I hastened to assure him that I was from England and "bostin'" is an expression for excellent. His face grew ever more vacant, he stared at me, turned and quickly went away.
"Them colonists doh arf need a lot of education, doh they!"
Geoff Riley, Cormorant Grove, Kidderminster.
Popular stories:
Video - Warning for sat-nav thieves
Video - Killers ticket stampede
Anger at school uniform ban
Video - News on Nicki Pedersen's future
McFly obviously adored by pop fans
