Korean Job Discussion Forums

coratheexplorer · Joined: 16 Feb 2012

Definitions are one thing. Doesn't mean people use it that way. In over 50+ years on this planet surrounded by American English speakers (including a chunk of years spent in a real estate law office where we were extensively exposed to housing-related terms) I have never heard anyone say 'a laundry' to refer to a laundry room. We just go the extra mile and add 'room.' But only always. I did notice that the definition where it was number 1 was from the World Dictionary, most certainly a heavy British influence there. I also noticed that the other definition cited indicated the meaning you're insisting it has as the very last one, indicating less frequent usage, association, or a meaning that is for all practical purposes outdated. I'd bet that came from a US originating source. But perhaps most importantly, none of them indicate any coupling with the article 'a' for grammar or usage purposes which is kind of what this whole thing boils down to.

As for the quotes, I'm not sure of any fixed rules about British vs. American usage. I'd bet though that there is much more flexibility in those categories than you realize. Maybe you can post some quotes from whichever online sources you can find though, to support your notions. I have spent a lifetime reading a lot of English authors and working in legal settings where language tends to be of a high tone. That influences one over time, for sure.

Anyway I know some of the young men on this site do enjoy going on and on in debates of varying importance but how about we consider the case closed. I'm not a Brit. And all the copied and pasted definitions in all the Internet will never convince me that the term 'a laundry' is used by Americans to refer to a laundry room. The map is not the territory. So, agree to disagree? Good night and thank you for your attempts to educate me.

Liezl · Joined: 13 Jan 2013

The current teachers at Ahil, including me only wants to renew the name of Ahil. I think we should focus on the now and not the past. I have no idea what happened in the past. All I know and all I can say is that, at this moment, I am happy to be a teacher here.

We as a group of teachers honestly decided to do this not only for the school but also for the other teachers and ourselves. Remember, here are many other teachers working here too (foreigners and Koreans). We all want to be proud of our work place...That's it.

I believe that Ahil School needs to get this second chance. I am sure we all know what it's like to be in the position where we need to get a second chance.

Liezl Snyman January 25th, 2013.

Bencain · Joined: 26 Jan 2013

Dear Cora the explorer

Thanks for your concern about our school. I'm sorry to hear you think we aren't real. If you live in Ulsan, and feel like meeting for coffee or something, I hope we can prove the reality of our opinions.

By the way, I use 'the laundry' too. Stacey comes from Australia, so maybe it's more of an Australasian thing to say?

peepeejelly · Joined: 01 Mar 2013

The accommodation at Ahil is sub standard, for farm animals. If you consider a dirty mattress on a dirty floor "fully furnished" then you are from another planet. The sellotape all around the kitchen units to keep the cockroaches out is a lovely touch though. Despite not having the desired effect. I am not in the least bit surprised that ANET became unwell whilst living there. By far the worst living conditions of any of the schools I've worked at.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

yooze geyes!

If you want to talk horrid apartments, I think it would be pretty tough

to top the place I had to stay in while working in Mexico.

The roaches would literally scurry across my pillow at night.

and I had to pay rent to be there too + furnish the place, fix the plumbing,

and listen to the noisy neighbors every night.

After my roomate and I learned how to rid the place of the

host of roach colonies, we got evicted. Nice thanks we got for

cleaning the place up.

Some of you guys in K-land don't know what bad is.

big_fella1 · Joined: 08 Dec 2005

I'm sorry 3 foreign teachers with no complaints just doesn't seem real. The last university I worked at, a lot of people were annoyed they only got 16 weeks paid vacation and had to work 12 hours a week.

Laundry is Australian English for the room where the washing machine is. I believe the British word is kitchen.