tardy
tardy现在在英国不普通，偶然用，通常作“慢的”解而不作“过时的”解。但在美国很普通，而且作“过时的”解。例如：He is often tardy in his payments. 和She was an hour tardy for supper last evening. tardiness也是这样，如下面两句都是美国英语：
Please excuse my tardiness in answering your letter.
Her tardiness at supper last evening was due to a headache. （tardiness at supper在英国人看来也许作“晚餐吃得慢”解）