American English
The shopwalker in a large London store was asked by an American lady if he could supply "two starters and a catcher."
Uncertain as to what they were but too proud to admit that his store might not know of them he said, "Certainly, madam - if you will leave your name and address we will send them round."
She did so.
Enquiry by the shopwalker on all floors failed to trace these articles and the managing director himself could throw no light upon them.
However, when at lunch he spotted a friend who had lived in America and immediately asked him.
"Oh yes," said the friend, "I know them.
Starters are the pads of hair, ladies, who have very little, use to pad out their own and a catcher is a hair net to keep it all in place."
Upon his return from lunch the managing director told the shopwalker what he had heard and the shopwalker was clearly staggered.
"Good heavens," he exclaimed. "I thought the thing out for myself and I've already sent round two Seidlitz powders and a bed pan!"
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