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Assume v. Presume

Are you not familiar with "alight" used in that context then? Or just commenting on its deprecation in modern usage (as part of the general dumbing down)?
 
Are you not familiar with "alight" used in that context then? Or just commenting on its deprecation in modern usage (as part of the general dumbing down)
Very familiar with its use. Just wonder why it is used in transport situations when it isn't in normal conversation. I wouldn't even call it dumbing down. Possibly "dumbing up" (if there is such a concept). "Get off" is probably dumber than "alight".
 
But are they (or should they be) hyphenated or not?
The minimal research I've done gave deplane and detrain. That was probably* an American dictionary, so perhaps the hyphen should be there!
(* The first dictionary I came to with a DuckDuckGo search-it said Cambridge, but I'm not convinced it is our Cambridge)
Most people would say "gerroff" in the location you are talking about.
:rolling: Very true! Well, North of the Trent. South maybe less so.
 
Just wonder why it is used in transport situations when it isn't in normal conversation.
Most things you would alight from are in a transport situation, although I have been known to alight on an answer.

Deplane is already in common usage. Detrain is listed in at least one dictionary. Debus anyone?
I can't get on board with any of those (;)), they're American jargon for when they are trying to sound cleverer than they look. I mean, "momentarily" when they actually mean "soon" and not "momentarily" at all. The world is full of idiots using words they don't understand simply because they think it makes them look good. "Rapid unscheduled disassembly" indeed!
 
If passengers had to be removed from a train, "detrain" could be used but not "disembark".
What's wrong with "evacuate"? It hardly matters where they are evacuating from.

Disembarkation should refer to substantial (international) journeys, ie ship or plane, and perhaps Eurostar* would qualify.

* Presuming Eurostar is running.
 
It's how Space X refer to their in-flight failures, rather than admit it blew up. It's spin.
As a one-off joke, the term is rather funny - in a Drop The Dead Donkey Gus management bull:poop: way.
As a permanent term to mean explosion, especially if lives are at risk, it isn't clever and it isn't funny.
Spin - unfortunately I've become so cynical these days I see the utterances of most (would be) politicians as spin or just plain bull.
 
"To reassure you that this email is genuine, we have included the last three digits of your postcode here: 1AB"

When did letters become digits?
 
Letters are not digits - although perhaps that is debatable when talking hex.
Wikipedia article refers to "numerical digit". Tautology or clarification that you are not referring to fingers?
Not sure that's common. TV Licensing says "we've included part of your postcode, *** 1AB". My bank uses the last four digits (and they are digits) of the account.
Are you sure the email is genuine?
 
Letters are not digits
Indeed. That is what I was 'complaining' about.
although perhaps that is debatable when talking hex.
Usually it's clarified as hex. digits.
Wikipedia article refers to "numerical digit". Tautology or clarification that you are not referring to fingers?
Probably the former, but I haven't read whatever article.
Are you sure the email is genuine?
Yes, it came from the bank. Maybe I'll send them one of those online message/feedback/complaint things and see what they say (and do, if anything).
 
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