Know Your English (Nov 2001)-5

Know your English

What is the difference between an "escort" and a "convoy"?

An "escort" is something or someone that is given to an individual as a mark of respect or as a form of protection. For example, Ministers in our country always have bodyguards surrounding them. The bodyguards are their escorts; they go wherever the Minister goes. Similarly, when an actress attends a party, she usually has an escort. When Hema Malini was young, her mother escorted her to most parties. When Presidents from other countries visit India, someone usually escorts them to inspect the guard of honour. Trucks, ships, planes, etc can be escorts too. The Prime Minister's boat may have an escort of four destroyers.

A "convoy", on the other hand, refers to the vehicles that accompany someone important. Whenever a Chief Minister goes somewhere, he/she usually has about ten or fifteen cars following him/her. These cars are part of the convoy. Unlike the word "escort", a convoy is usually used to refer to things (cars, lorries, ships, etc); the word is not used to refer to people.

Source:

The Hindu daily, Tuesday, November 06, 2001