Up to London?

lucy7 · 28-06-2009, 13:17

We are going up to London at the end of July.
I have been chatting on the phone to a friend and said that phase "up to London", he pulled me on it, and said I was wrong as we live up north, and that I should say "down to london"

I was always taught as a youngster and it was when i was being educated in Buckinghamshire, that you always went "up" to the capital of a country, even if you did live geographically above it.

Anyone have any thoughts on which is actually correct?

**Russ** · 28-06-2009, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy7

I was always taught as a youngster and it was when i was being educated in Buckinghamshire, that you always went "up" to the capital of a country, even if you did live geographically above it.

I've never heard of that before

I refer to a part of the country depending on where it is to me - last weekend I went "up to Liverpool", if I went to the capital I'd go "over to London" and for instance I'd go "down to Brighton".

28-06-2009, 13:33

Yeah living in the midlands it would be hard for me to go down south but up to London lol Lucy you are not a closed snob are you lol

Caspar · 28-06-2009, 13:39

I live in Manchester.

I go down to London, down to Cornwall.

Upto to Glasgow, Sheffield

Over to or Going to Liverpool, Leeds.

Based on geographic location, not importance/national significance of destination.

Peter_ · 28-06-2009, 13:39

I would always say going to London or any other place.

**Derek** · 28-06-2009, 13:48

I've always gone with the geographic direction.

Down to England, over to Edinburgh, Up North.

lucy7 · 28-06-2009, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by zing

Yeah living in the midlands it would be hard for me to go down south but up to London lol Lucy you are not a closed snob are you lol

Hello zing!

Not a closed one but maybe a closet one!!

I do actually love the use of the English language, not that I use it correctly though.
I like that QI programe on telly, as Stephen Fry is always informing the watchers of silly little things like that!

It doesnt really matter if there is a correct way, I just like to be informed!

What about when to use an exclamation mark?
I use them way to much, but am sort of addicted to that button on my key board!!!!!!

Halcyon · 28-06-2009, 17:35

Here in the midlands I would say I am going down to London as it is physically going in the downwards direction.

moaningmags · 28-06-2009, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

I've always gone with the geographic direction.

Down to England, over to Edinburgh, Up North.

I agree.

LaineY · 28-06-2009, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by moaningmags

I agree.

i second that.

Roseblue · 29-06-2009, 09:46

I was born in Glasgow but now live down south in Farnborough. I go up home, and I go into London, and I go down to the coast. Oh and I go over to Wales.

xpod · 29-06-2009, 09:51

I wanna go home...back up to Scotland.
I would come down again though,she`d never forgive me if i didn`t.

Angua · 29-06-2009, 09:55

IIRC it was based on the railway expression regarding the Up line to London and then "Down to the country" meaning the down line to anywhere else.

I say Up to London and we live approximately due west so neither up or down would be correct.

**Kymmy** · 29-06-2009, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspar

I live in Manchester.

I lived in Manchester as well, until I had the sense to move up to London... or is it down to London??

Anyway moved so many times up/down in my life I just don;t have a clue anymore... Just now trying to get the pronounciation of 'uton correct...

**Chris** · 29-06-2009, 11:25

If you looked it up in a book on formal etiquette, it would tell you that up to the capital city is always correct, regardless of the direction of travel. However I don't imagine there are many people left that would actually say it. I'd always say down, as it's south of me.