Quote:
Originally Posted by Ulpian
Maybe it's a British turn of phrase, but to my ear "I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but it's a distinct third place to Rumours" sounds ambiguous, like she meant Rumours is in third place.  |
I think American and British usage is the same on this one. But yes, of course, you're right that interpretation depends on language style and usage for each listener or reader.
To me, when you place second or third
TO anything that thing is in the number one position, whether it's a sports contest or beauty pageant. Anything that comes in "to it" is a runner up.
Otherwise, she would have said, "Rumours comes in at distinct third place," if she meant that Mystery to Me was #1.
Michele