Pedants' Paradise

[gurnemanz]

I would never say "keep ahold of", which sounds American to me. Likewise "get ahold of". Both "keep hold of" and "get hold of" are standard British usage.

"Retain" is the type of slightly more formal option often preferred in public notices, eg "alight" instead of "get off". I suspect that in informal colloquial usage most people would prefer "keep" and "get off".

Speaking generally, where English has words of both Germanic and Latin origin available for the same basic concept, as very often occurs, the Latin word tends to have more abstract connotations, where the Germanic is more physical.
retain - keep in your possession;
hold - keep in your hand.

[Pulcinella]

I think that some people just need to get a grip.

[Sir Velo]

I think that some people just need to get a grip.

That's definitely the take away

[french frank]

That's definitely the take away

With or without mushy peas?

[Bryn]

With or without mushy peas?

Would it not be more likely to be a "take out" if with mushy peas?

[french frank]

Would it not be more likely to be a "take out" if with mushy peas?

A regionalism

[Padraig]

Would it not be more likely to be a "take out" if with mushy peas?

or, " to go"?

[smittims]

'ahold' has a maritime ring to me, as in 'aback', 'astern' and ahoy!'

[cloughie]

I think that some people just need to get a grip.

Isn’t that called a ‘hold all’ now?

[kernelbogey]

Isn’t that called a ‘hold all’ now?

Mostly 'gym bag' now.

[Old Grumpy]

Mostly 'gym bag' now.

Not by me it isn't!

[Bryn]

Mostly 'gym bag' now.

Is that the influence of the Eton gang? At Eton, while books may not be carried in satchels or back-packs, gym-wear may.

[Pulcinella]

Is that the influence of the Eton gang? At Eton, while books may not be carried in satchels or back-packs, gym-wear may.

Do the scholars expect their fags (am I allowed to say that?) to carry their books around for them, then?

[kernelbogey]

In my teens (c1958-60) we all had 'duffel bags' - with a cord that doubled as drawstring around the neck of the bag and as the shoulder strap.

[Bryn]

Do the scholars expect their fags (am I allowed to say that?) to carry their books around for them, then?

Fagging is now a thing of the past but books are still dumped on the library steps for hours, and occasionally for days, at a time before being picked up again by the student who dumped them there.