(Untitled)

[al_fruitbat]

So, we were driving along the North Circular on our way to see Chrestomancy and TheHattedOne. Approaching the notorious Hangar Lane gyratory, I said to _alanna "OK, you want to be in the outside lane here", only to be somewhat surprised when she indicated right and moved into the fast lane

Comments

[lanfykins]

Well, I can completely see your logic, but I regard the outside lane as the far right one too.

Wikipedia says: 'In British English the meanings of inside and outside lanes are the reverse of US English. So in Britain, overtaking is performed using the outside lane, in the US it is termed the inside lane - in both cases it is the one farthest from the kerb/curb.'

Which doesn't explain anything, really, but provides ample opportunity for confusion!

[secondhand_rick]

The inside lane is the one closest to the middle of the road, right? The outside lane is the one closest to the edge of the road.

Nope.

[bateleur]

Much as you has t3h wrong, I share your implied disapproval of the terminology.

[waistcoatmark]

Your way makes sense, but so does calling the ground floor the "first" floor, and we don't do that either.

NB That's why "overtaking on the inside" is bad. What did you make of that phrase (or have you not come across it)?

[al_fruitbat]

I call that 'undertaking', and it is bad. Unless the fast lane is being hogged by some priggish numpty who drives 5mph under the speed limit and won't sod off back to their own lane ;-)

[secretrebel]

Um, no.

Inside is closest to the kerb. Outside is, well, outside that.