Answering the Question ‘What does ” I have a tab at the Mercedes dealership” mean?’
January 14th, 2012 Filed under: Cars Dealership — Car Author
I thought I'd post this question from Ted T since a lot of people seem to be asking it lately:Hi, I'm learning English as my second language.Can you give me an advise?When I watched a movie, "Intolerable Cruelty", A lawyer said " I have a tab at the Mercedes dealership".What does "tab" mean here.The conversation goes as follows:"Get yourself a new car.""I have a new car. I have two new cars.I have a tab at the Mercedes dealership"Thanks for your help!
Answer: Nick's explanation is good. Tabs are more usually associated with local small businesses (like a corner store) and bars. To have one at a Mercedes dealership would mean you're very rich and the dealership trusts you enough to give you a car on credit.Most people are familiar with bar tabs as an example. If you're having a big night out, you'd open a tab at the bar (usually by handing them your credit card) and instead of paying for each item separately, it gets added to the tab and you pay for the lot at the end of the night. It saves a lot of time and hassle for everyone.
Tagged:Words & Wordplay
