An American visiting England walked into a hotel lobby. .The lift will be

down presently,. the receptionist told him.

.The lift?. said the American. .Oh, you mean the elevator..

.No, I mean the lift.. replied the Englishman.

.I think I should know what it is called,. said the American. .Elevators were

invented in the States..

.Perhaps,. retorted the Englishman. .But we invented the language..