this post was submitted on 25 Jul 2025
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English usage and grammar

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Which meaning did they intend? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by BullishUtensil@lemmy.world to c/english@lemmy.ca
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Sitting at a lunch restaurant where one can order either from self service kiosks, or from a person behind the counter. The counter has a handwritten sign "cash only at register".

Now, which meaning do you think that they intended? That if I want to pay in cash, I have to go to the counter? That if I walk up to the counter, I have to pay in cash?

(Yes, I could have asked, but by the time I spotted the sign, there wasn't anyone by the counter, and I had already successfully used the self service kiosk).

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

It means they only accept cash.

No idea why they have to specify at the register. Where else could you pay?

[–] tyler@programming.dev 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nah it means they accept both, but cash isn’t accepted at the self-service kiosks. So the only way to pay with cash is at the register.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 1 week ago

Ah yes. I forgot about self-checkout some how. lol

[–] bzLem0n@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 week ago

I would assume: cash payment available only at register. That's the only way that makes sense to me, you can pay with a server using a card but they would have to go to the till to get cash for change.

[–] hitmyspot@aussie.zone 2 points 1 week ago

Hard to say. Could be either as I wouldn't expect grammar to be fully correct in a fast food establishment, especially if it's temporary.

If cards are not accepted at the register, cash only is appropriate. However, of the.kiosks don't allow cash, then cash can only be used there.

If it's the former, it would be easier to say no card payment at register, or change the word order to 'Only cash taken at register' If it's the latter a comma would help: 'Cash, only at register'.

Cash,