a slit up/down the side
- Thread starter VicNicSor
- Start date
This is not logical, I realize, but actually we might very well say "a slit down the side," too. It's all a question of how the speaker perceives the slit, not how the slit was formed.
Thank you.
I don't usually disagree with Kate, but in this case, I do. If the slit starts at the hem (what you call the "low edge"), I'd definite use only up, not "down".
But what if for some reason your eye started at her blouse (maybe it's really cute or a really flamboyant pattern or something). Isn't it possible that you'd then say "down"? I would.
A lot has to do with perspective.
The parent of a 17 year old girl might say that the "sweater buttons up the front", whereas the girl's boyfriend might say it buttons down the front.
If I am pointing out how much leg it being shown with the slit, then I would say it is "slit up" (or "slit up to her thigh")
If I am pointing out that the pencil skirt allows freedom of leg motion to a greater degree that other pencil skirts then I might say it is "slit down".
The parent of a 17 year old girl might say that the "sweater buttons up the front", whereas the girl's boyfriend might say it buttons down the front.
If I am pointing out how much leg it being shown with the slit, then I would say it is "slit up" (or "slit up to her thigh")
If I am pointing out that the pencil skirt allows freedom of leg motion to a greater degree that other pencil skirts then I might say it is "slit down".