The Power Tool

The phone rang the other day.
“Hello?”
“Hello. Is that Mrs Boy then?” Thick accent. Uh ohhhh.
“Yes it is, how may I help you?”
“Well, I’m eck-chally looooking for yee hoosbund – is he a power tool?”
I pause. “Um . . . pardon me?
“Your hoosbund – is he a power tool???”

Okie dokie then. Either this is a trick question or the difficulty I have been having understanding accents of late is channelling Groundhog Day.

Time to pull out my new lifeline:

“I’m very sorry – I am just getting used to the accents in England – did you want to speak with my husband?” (You can ask HIM if he’s a power tool!)

“Yes please!” She was obviously exasperated with me. I, on the other hand, was not about to reveal any marital secrets about the power tool!!

I handed the phone to my husband. He understood everything and booked the appointment she was calling about.

When he got off the phone, I ran the conversation by him, duplicating as best I could the phraseology and accent.

“Ah,” he laughed “Sounds like she asked “Is he aboot at all?”

Bawahaha. Nice try.

“Nah. She definitely asked if you were a power tool.” I could see from the silly grin on his face that he was quite taken with this new name.

So. Another one under the belt: Power tool = aboot a tool = about at all.

Got it. Next time someone calls and asks if my husband is a power tool I shall respond with confidence:

“He most certainly is! One moment please – let me fetch the electrifying young man for you!”