ydoaPs Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 ok, i heard that bollocks is like "crap", but dog's bollocks is good. what is the deal? could someone make a list of british words and phrases for the americans?
bloodhound Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 this is an excellent site for our mates across the pond http://www.effingpot.com/
bloodhound Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 quoted from the site Bollocks - This is a great English word with many excellent uses. Technically speaking it means testicles but is typically used to describe something that is no good (that's bollocks) or that someone is talking rubbish (he's talking bollocks). Surprisingly it is also used in a positive manner to describe something that is the best, in which case you would describe it as being "the dog's bollocks". Englishmen who live in America take great delight in ordering specialised registration plates for their cars using the letters B.O.L.L.O.X. Good eh?
bloodhound Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 Billion - Amazing isn't it. We have the same word for almost the same thing. In fact a billion in American is a thousand million but in English it is a million million, though recently we have started to use your version so as to avoid over generous tips. Best of British - If someone says "The best of British to you" when you are visiting the UK, it simply means good luck. It is short for "best of British luck". Bob's your uncle - This is a well used phrase. It is added to the end of sentences a bit like and that's it! For example if you are telling someone how to make that fabulous banoffee pie you just served them, you would tell them to boil the condensed milk for three hours, spread it onto a basic cheesecake base, slice bananas on top, add some whipped double cream, another layer of banana and Bob's your uncle! Fanny - This is the word for a woman's front bits! One doesn't normally talk about anyone's fanny as it is a bit rude. You certainly don't have a fanny pack, or smack people on their fannys - you would get arrested for that! Careful use of this word in the UK is advised! Her Majesty's pleasure - When visiting England, try to avoid being detained at Her Majesty's pleasure. This means being put in prison with no release date! How's your father? - This is a very old term for sex which plays on our apparent British sensitivity. Rather than saying the actual "sex" word you could refer to having a bit of How's your Father, instead - nudge, nudge, wink, wink. The sort of old fashioned saying dragged up by Austin Powers. Spend a penny - To spend a penny is to go to the bathroom. It is a very old fashioned expression that still exists today. It comes from the fact that in ladies loos you used to operate the door by inserting an old penny go have a look round that site. theres plenty
ydoaPs Posted August 7, 2004 Author Posted August 7, 2004 why do you say "across the pond?" it is "slightly" more than a pond. now that i think of it, it is a freakin ocean
bloodhound Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 i am not sure. commentators and presenters use it quite frequently, it was probably used to emphasise the closeness of our alliance.
ydoaPs Posted August 7, 2004 Author Posted August 7, 2004 some of those we use in america like "as well" and "blatantly".
admiral_ju00 Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 some of those we use in america like "as well" and "blatantly". Really? I've never heard of either of them. Who, what, why and where are using the above composition of hieroglyphics?
ydoaPs Posted August 7, 2004 Author Posted August 7, 2004 Really? I've never heard of either of them. Who' date=' what, why and where are using the above composition of hieroglyphics? [/quote'] wtf r u talkin bout? "not only does he BLATANTLY not do his homework, he skips school AS WELL" you have never heard anyone use those words?
admiral_ju00 Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 Great job at completely missing my point. *and I thought that the smiley would give it away....oops*.
ydoaPs Posted August 7, 2004 Author Posted August 7, 2004 i am too stupid for that stuff. lolly roffles
Sayonara Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 why do you say "across the pond?" it is "slightly" more than a pond. now that i think of it, it is a freakin ocean I think you can probably chalk that one up to dry wit.
bloodhound Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 the british are quite famous for their understatements hehe.
Dave Posted August 8, 2004 Posted August 8, 2004 We are also the only people that can use the word "quite" to good effect.
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