Over 2 years in London and I am still learning new differences in the same language! Brits continue to correct me when I say the wrong thing or even better, they act like they have no clue what I am talking about! A few examples...
Pavement: The sidewalk.
Wally: A foolish or silly person. Similar to an idiot.
Jumper: A sweater. I have used this one before but I am constantly harassed for not using jumper. Try as I might I just think it sounds stupid to say jumper.
Have a go: When you are angry or upset with someone you 'have a go' at them or tell them off.
Pissed: Drunk. This can get you in trouble. If you want to say you are angry you must include off.
The shits: to be upset. So this is more of an Australian slang but I hear it all the time and giggle uncontrollably. Used in a sentence, "you know what gives me the shits? British people making fun of me for saying cell phone."
Mobile: Cell phone. The one and only acceptable term for this device. Pronounced with a hard i as in exile.
Shed load: Replace the ed with it and you should get the idea. It means a lot. This is Chris guilty giggle term. He hears it used in formal presentations on a regular basis.
Showing posts with label Proper English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proper English. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The 1st Proper English Lesson of 2010
- Touch wood: Common saying meaning the same as "Knock on wood."
- Torch: Flashlight
- Full stop: By definition it means period but in familiar language it is used as follows: "I have to stop eating fried food if I am ever going to lose wait. Full stop."
- Effing and Blinding: Used to describe how a person is cursing or swearing. "When the snow brought London to a halt everyone was effing and blinding about the lack of preparation."
- Bicky: A biscuit,as in a cookie.
- Kit: Clothing or uniform.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
British Vocabulary Lesson
It has been awhile... so I thought a quick lesson would be a nice way to jump back into blogging!
1. Pear shaped: An expression used to describe things going badly or wrong.
2. Pissed: This is a catch all expression that means just about everything expect what you would expect. It is NOT used to describe urination! It could mean drunk. It could mean things going badly. And it can be used in varying forms including: Pisser. A common expression: You don't want them to take a piss. This means to take advantage of or mess something up.
3. To fall pregnant: This one always makes me laugh. "Did you hear that so and so fell pregnant?" It is pretty self explanatory...
4. Thick: Used to describe someone who just doesn't get "it" or anything for that matter. Chris has started using this to describe people but always giggles after saying it.
5. Cheers: Thanks. If someone holds the door open for you (this is a very rare act), you would say "Cheers."
6. Ta: Another way of saying thanks. I got this the other day and just stared at the person thinking they had more to say... but nope... Ta was it!
7. Wind: If someone makes wind, they have farted.
1. Pear shaped: An expression used to describe things going badly or wrong.
2. Pissed: This is a catch all expression that means just about everything expect what you would expect. It is NOT used to describe urination! It could mean drunk. It could mean things going badly. And it can be used in varying forms including: Pisser. A common expression: You don't want them to take a piss. This means to take advantage of or mess something up.
3. To fall pregnant: This one always makes me laugh. "Did you hear that so and so fell pregnant?" It is pretty self explanatory...
4. Thick: Used to describe someone who just doesn't get "it" or anything for that matter. Chris has started using this to describe people but always giggles after saying it.
5. Cheers: Thanks. If someone holds the door open for you (this is a very rare act), you would say "Cheers."
6. Ta: Another way of saying thanks. I got this the other day and just stared at the person thinking they had more to say... but nope... Ta was it!
7. Wind: If someone makes wind, they have farted.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Another Proper English Lesson
Hire: This means to rent. For instance, you can hire a car or a dinner jacket.
Dinner Jacket: A standard tuxedo which can be worn with a cummerbund or a waistcoat.
Waistcoat: A vest.
Jumper: A sweater, generally worn by a woman.
Pants: This is a fun one because of the difference... In England, pants refers to underpants as opposed to trousers which are worn over the pants! Pants can also me "crap" i.e The game last night was pants!
Knickers: Women's underpants.
Dinner Jacket: A standard tuxedo which can be worn with a cummerbund or a waistcoat.
Waistcoat: A vest.
Jumper: A sweater, generally worn by a woman.
Pants: This is a fun one because of the difference... In England, pants refers to underpants as opposed to trousers which are worn over the pants! Pants can also me "crap" i.e The game last night was pants!
Knickers: Women's underpants.
Friday, December 19, 2008
More Proper English
Operating Theater: This is what we would refer to as an operating room or OR. The Brits just say theater. I guess it makes the idea of having an operation kind of fun...you could say "no, I can't have lunch tomorrow because I am going to the theater."
Boot: Trunk of the car.
Bonnet: Hood.
Cattery: A kennel for cats.
Coriander: Cilantro.
Sellotape: Scotch tape (you should have seen me asking store clerks for scotch tape and then trying to describe it... grin and nod, grin and nod.)
999: comparable to 911 in the US.
Boot: Trunk of the car.
Bonnet: Hood.
Cattery: A kennel for cats.
Coriander: Cilantro.
Sellotape: Scotch tape (you should have seen me asking store clerks for scotch tape and then trying to describe it... grin and nod, grin and nod.)
999: comparable to 911 in the US.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
English Vocabulary Lesson
Elasticizedor Elasticated: Having elastic. i.e This belt has been elasticized.
Proper: Correct or Appropriate. i.e I heated water for tea in the microwave because I do not have a proper kettle.
Fitted: Refurbished or renovated. i.e Our flat has been recently fitted.
Brilliant: Great, excellent or outstanding. i.e Brilliant!
Proper: Correct or Appropriate. i.e I heated water for tea in the microwave because I do not have a proper kettle.
Fitted: Refurbished or renovated. i.e Our flat has been recently fitted.
Brilliant: Great, excellent or outstanding. i.e Brilliant!
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