New London vocabulary:
Card Clash!
Sounds pretty dramatic.
It would seem that smart cards ain't so smart after all and get a little confused when opening tube gates. If two cards are together, in a wallet say, then one card cancels the other out and the gate either won't open or you won't be charged, thus leaving you open to a fine at the other end of your journey. Hence "card clash". We wonder if there was a meeting to decide on the name?
Other new London vocabulary faves of ours from the past couple of years are
boris (verb): To use the cycle hire scheme. "The train terminated at Holborn so I borised it to Bank."
podium (verb): In circulation from 2012 Olympics. "It's very tough to podium in this event" i.e., get into the medal positions.
Any other new London phrases coined in recent years? Drop us a line at the usual address or leave a comment below.
A London Walk costs £9 – £7 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com