Here's a story I have been thinking about sending to my friend Paul. We worked for the same company, and were assigned to the same foreign location in the 80's, but not at the same time.
Later, in '90, I was asked to return to the area to help our customer - an air force. Paul was still on the job.
Anyway, every time I answer a query in BHF, I recall my first known exposure to the word.
I was raise in metro Boston in the 50's-60's. Although my early education was parochial, I don't think it was far removed from reality (except for the saint math.) I attended public high school.
I don't think I ever heard query.
Anyway, after several years in the Marines (you know what would happen if a Marine used words like query,) I decided that wasn't my thing, and moved to the private sector. When I went to work for McDonnell-Douglas (Long Beach) I was assigned on-site support to the FAF (foreign air force.)
The FAF had a good size force of Royal Air Force personnel. The air force had previously operated British aircraft (Lightening, Hunter, Strikemaster) and the RAF was aiding the transition to the US Navy methods. The new aircraft (A-4 Skyhawk) were purchased on a USN Foreign Military Sales program and they purchased the Navy maintenance program with it (4790.2 for you sailors.)
The MDC office and RAF office (Quality) were located on the second floor of the maintenance hangar.
One day, I was walking from maintenance control to the office and one of the RAF chief techs was walking to his office. As we met the conversation went like this.
CT John: Tom, I'm in a rush at the moment, but later, I need to queerie you.
Tom: You need to do WHAT? But he was speeding away: I don't think he heard me (in spite of the octave.)
Fifteen minutes later, he came in and asked his question.