I didn't catch you (again)

[Spideyman]

I think 1922 is one of the most dramatic, terrifying, sad but also tender and romantic stories I have ever read.
Apart from this, there’s something that caught my attention while reading this story. I found two different expressions including the word Dutch. And I also know another expression with this word –to go Dutch. I know the meaning of this one, but the others, I’m not sure if I get the right meaning.
They are:

-“Now that hundred acres just sits there sprouting weeds, and I’m in Dutch” (page 65, UK edition);

-“…so I’m going to talk to you like a Dutch uncle.” (p. 76);


I’m curious about finding so many dutches in the language. Why is this so? Do you know?


And what about grippe (page 23)? I understand it means flu, because in Spanish we call it gripe. Do you usually use the word grippe? It’s the first time I’ve found it.

Thank you!

Dutch has many uses- it is often what we refer to as slang, or urban use of words.

1. of or pertaining to the Netherlands.

2. a blunt made by rolling weed in a cigar wrapper

3. "to get in Dutch" - to get in trouble;

4. "Dutch treat"; an invitation where the invitee is expected to pay his/her own way.

5. "Dutch date"; a date where each person agrees to pick up their own tab.

6. "Dutch uncle": a stern disciplinarian;

7. "Dutch courage"; courage derived from drinking alcohol

And grippe can mean a bad cold/ viral illness or the flu.

[Gelata]

Thank you so much, Spidey... or should I call you Spideypedia?

[Gelata]

This is an anouncement I saw in two different buildings in London. Isn't it a weird sentence? It's a double negative as I understand it. I would have expected "unauthorised entry to public" or "non authorised". What do you think? I'm I making I mess with my English?
Thank you!

In a building in The City por asarames, en Flickr

[Spideyman]

This is an anouncement I saw in two different buildings in London. Isn't it a weird sentence? It's a double negative as I understand it. I would have expected "unauthorised entry to public" or "non authorised". What do you think? I'm I making I mess with my English?
Thank you!

In a building in The City por asarames, en Flickr

It basically means that if you do not have a permit/ badge/proper identification you are not allowed to go past that sign. The use of the word NO is a reminder of not being allowed.

unauthorized:
without authorization, not authorized, unlicensed, forbidden, unlawful (also unauthorised)

[Gelata]

Hi! I want to revive this thread that have been forgotten for long. And I hope you will go on answering my questions as you used to.

I'd like to comment on something that has caught my attention while reading 11/22/63. I don't think this is a spoiler, but I leave it to Ms Mod.
The point is that S.King uses several different ways of expressing the time, some of which I had never known.

For example, in page 81: "... it lacked just two minutes of 6:00 a.m."; in page 84: "It was still a few minutes shy of six thirty"; in page 206: "It was now ten of eight"...

The question is, are these forms normally used by speakers, or are they stylistic creations of Mr King?

Thank you!

[Moderator]

Those are often used as a form of telling time, not just Steve's style. I more often use "to" instead of "of", though, e.g. I would have said "it was now ten to eight..."

[Gelata]

Thank you, MS Mod.
I think I will go on using the familiar "ten to six" and so on. These forms are too difficult for me and if I tried to used them I would get into a muddle
But I love to see that language can be so flexible, creative and alive.