the capital

[barwilson]

I say one goes 'up' to the capital (even though I live in the North) and was told I was wrong, we go 'down' to London because we live in the North of England

[gary baldy]

As much as i hate to say it i think one travels 'up' to the capital. I refuse to say this however and i always go down to London. People always talk about "Up North ' though dont they?

[spudqueen]

Yes, one should always travel 'up' to London, regardless of compass direction.

[Hammond Egg]

Railway lines were designated as 'up' lines if they went towards London and 'down' lines if they came away from London (or, more accurately, if the trains using them went to/came from London).

I don't know whether there is an equivalent usage in Scotland.

The terms "Up North" and "Down South" come from the convention of presenting maps with North at the top.

[bernardo]

One goes "up" to London if one is travelling northwards, and "down" to London if one is travelling southwards. Anybody who thinks differently should stand on their head for six hours and be forced to swallow a string of tinsel.

[jno]

buy this and think again..

[scooby20_10]

even though it seems that way its the way the world turns on an axis regardless of a compass.i once thought that too until i found out i was really wrong.

[gingerflaps]

its just the same as saying 'go up town'

[SteveD]

Amazon are out of stock, but ther's one on e-Bay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8353578255&category=69497

[david21]

Re hammond egg (railway lines) , when i was doing my route learning as a railway guard we were taught that all lines heading to(coming out of glasgow/scotland) london were the 'up' line and the lines back were down....when i asked why he told me it was because the first rail lines to be built were from london to bristol and you went 'down' to bristol and back up to london.(even though its west of london?)

[Hammond Egg]

Thanks david21