Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

Get up. Mow the lawn. Move it.* On the double*.

faster?

Thanks

[bud]

Well, depending on what you mean by "faster." If you mean "get the lawn mowed in a short amount of time," then no. If you mean "be fast in getting started mowing the lawn," then yes.

[missdaredevil]

How did you know the difference?

thanks

[iitimone7]

it's a phrase that US uses so often that we don't have to think about the meaning...we just know. iitimone7

[missdaredevil]

Is it like *be fast at getting started*?
Thanks

[pugachevV]

It has evolved from a military term.
The military have commands to move them at different speeds.
For funerals it is, "slow march".
The normal speed is, "quick march."
Running speed is, "double march".
The above are specific to the Brit military of some years ago, but most of the world's armies function similarly.
So "get over here on the double'" means get over here as fast as you can.

[iitimone7]

thanks pug! iitimone7