MovieChat Forums > Death Line (1973) Discussion > "Mind the doors"

"Mind the doors"

posted 3 years ago by MaxDemian (93)
2 replies | jump to latest

When did the stop saying "Mind the doors" (in the recorded announcements) and start saying "Please stand clear of the closing doors" and why? Is it because Americans don't know what "mind" means?

[–] whynotwriteme (7725) 3 years ago

I don't think it's only for Americans. Hasn't Britain experienced a huge influx of immigrants who may not be familiar with old-fashioned Anglicisms, having picked up English from modern sources?

[–] aavfreak (3334) a month ago

Americans use the same phrasing, like "mind your manners" or "mind your Ps and Qs."

I don't think that's the issue here. I think it's more likely a modernization of safety precautions. "Mind the doors" is unspecific and vague, where "please stand clear of the closing doors" is direct and clear with the instruction.