Hello and welcome once again to the English Language Clinic. This week I have been asked whether an idiom, which is commonly used in Mauritius is used in the correct way. The idiom is "from pillar to post"; I have been advised that it is used in relation to horse racing, to describe the journey of a horse, which leads the race from beginning to end. A very short answer to the question is that ?yes?, if an idiom is used by a large number of people and the meaning is understood by all, then the idiom is being used correctly. This could be seen as an example of Mauritian English. In British English, however, this idiom has a very different, almost opposite meaning.

Originating either in relation to ?Real? or ?Royal tennis? (a very popular game in Tudor England) or the medieval punishment known as ?the pillory (pillar) and whipping post?, this idiom means to go from one place or situation to another, without achieving much. For example; I asked David if he knew Rachel?s telephone number, he told me to ask Susan; when I asked Susan she told me to talk to Peter, Peter told me that he didn?t know but that I should ask David. I had been sent ?from pillar to post?.

There are a number of expressions related to horse racing, which include the word ?post?; ?ante post?, ?post time?, ?post position?, ?first passed the post? and ?piped at the post? are just a few. A horse that leads from start to finish is usually referred to as an ?all the way win? and the jockey that does so may be described as being ?on a Bill Daly?.

I wonder if there are any other idioms, the meanings of which are different in Mauritian English.

Please let me know.

Please send comments, queries and questions to ?Dr Danny? by emailing the following address [email protected]