“Mind the gap.”
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| (source) |
If you’re going to be living in or around London,
you’ll be hearing this phrase a lot. Even if you aren’t going to be studying in
London, there’s a good chance that you’ll visit the city for fun or for travel
through the Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Whatever your reason for being in the
city, the most economical and easiest way to get around London proper is
through the Tube, or the Underground. The Tube is London’s subway system that
runs through the heart of the city all the way to the suburbs (picture New
York’s subway). It’s convenient for many reasons: it’s a cheap form of
transportation; it has many stops around landmarks, tourist destinations, and
major parts of the city; and well, it’s more fun (and usually faster) than
waiting around for a bus.
“Mind the gap” is a warning to passengers regarding
the gap between the subway train and the station platform. Upon arriving at a
stop, the doors open, and a pleasant-sounding recorded voice reminds you to
watch your step. It’s also painted on the edge of each platform as a visual
cue. If you use the Tube enough, the phrase might become engrained in your
psyche, and you might find yourself mouthing the words before the voice comes
on over the intercom. The expression is so popular that it has entered into
British popular culture. There are even souvenir items like shirts with the
Underground logo and words “Mind the Gap” printed on them. Probably not the
best gift option for the uninitiated though. Imagine going home and giving such
a shirt to a friend who has never heard the phrase:
You: “Here, I
bought this for you. Isn’t it funny?”
Friend: “Oh cool, thanks!”
[Looks at shirt]
“…I don’t get it.”
-L.
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