British English, A to Zed

New York: HarperPerenial, 1987. First edition thus. Paperback. Back-strip slightly faded, else fine copy. Paper-bound. Pp. xvi, 478, (ii). Appendices. Index.

Here we learn that a 'cheque'—or 'check' in the U.S.—is a draught (pronounced draft) which may have been derived from the medieval concept of the Exchequer, an accounting system carried out on a squared board. A cheque may be crossed, that is having two oblique lines within which are written '& Co.' to signify that it can not be cashed. Then there is 'chequers' which in America is a game called "checkers". But Chequers is also the official country residence of the British Prime Minister located in Buckinghamshire, a county. County, however, implies good breeding and riding to hounds. People of that sort might be drawn to Hatton Garden, a street in London identified with the diamond trade. Other sorts, those with 'form,' also certainly find it irresistible. Some of their escapades have featured in films which also star The Old Bill.
In England 'head' means headmaster or headmistress of a school—like 'principal' in the U.S.—and is universally understood to be so. Therefore it did not raise eyebrows once when The Times Educational Supplement reported that "A fifteen-year old Croydon boy has been suspended by his head since last September because of his long hair." However, cream always rises to the top, and it is called the 'head.'