British phrases

dar512 · 11-09-2006, 10:21 AM

I love "Bob's your uncle". I picked that up about 15 years ago on a BBS that had a messaging system with other BBSs around the world. Then, just today I ran across "horses for courses".

Neither of these phrases is very common in the US, but they seem just the thing to use in the right context. We've got a number of folks from across the pond, here. What other Britishisms should I know about?

barefoot serpent · 11-09-2006, 10:31 AM

a sticky wicket

I think it has something to do with eating croquettes??

Shawnee123 · 11-09-2006, 11:17 AM

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

xoxoxoBruce · 11-11-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

Quote:

Slang .................................English
How d'ya Likey......................Pikey

Oh great, what the hell does Pikey mean?

Undertoad · 11-09-2006, 11:22 AM

"Don't let's start" -- which I suspect may be northern -- it turned into a very fine They Might Be Giants single.

"Full of beans" -- i.e., hyper

DanaC · 11-09-2006, 11:40 AM

Don't know if this is a Britishism or not: When denoting an event to happen a week on Thursday, "Thursday week".

skysidhe · 11-09-2006, 11:51 AM

I am reading a book which is heavy on the cockney slang. I am in awe of the authors ability to even spell it and my ability to even read it.

I went looking for some examples instead of taking excerpts from the book.
I found a site that will translate the internet into slang...so I entered the some Cellar tag lines.

http://www.thevalkyrie.com/clubhouse/cockney/index.htm

A well-organized army of rabbittin' 'eads -sycamore

Post and give yourself yer own reason to return It's all about yer! And yer and yer and yer and me Patiently awaitin' the dot-org bubble As addictive as nicotine, as nutritious as muvver's milk Free wth registration: a bunch of people to rabbit to Trolls, morons and spammers will be shot on sight -undertoad

The Cellar: Where thought provokin' discussion is talked about. The Cellar: Where somebody might agree wiv yer. The Cellar: Because yer 'ave nothin' better to do. -Whit

that was fun ......

sorry......I'lll leave now.

Undertoad · 11-09-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

When denoting an event to happen a week on Thursday, "Thursday week".

Definitely a Britism, as is "a week on Thursday". Both are better constructions than our "next Thursday". That inevitably starts a discussion of whether one means the next Thursday to come, which is not "next Thursday" but "this Thursday", until somebody breaks down and figures out the full date. "OK, you mean Thursday the 23rd." "Yes, next Thursday."

DanaC · 11-09-2006, 12:24 PM

We kind of have the same debate sometimes until someone clarifies by saying, "no, I mean Thursday week"......" Ohhh....right, next, next Thursday".

Undertoad · 11-09-2006, 12:28 PM

It's more of a term than a phrase, but I've never been certain of the full meaning of "piss artist". (When I was hearing it as a kid, it would have been impolite to ask.)

DanaC · 11-09-2006, 12:31 PM

hehehehehe that term has several meanings. Mainly it refers to somone who is messing about, not taking something seriously. It comes I think, from 'taking the piss'.

Elspode · 11-09-2006, 01:14 PM

Saying "fortnight" instead of "two weeks".

"Pip pip" and "cheerio"

dar512 · 11-09-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

"Pip pip" and "cheerio"

I've heard "cheers" to end a phone call. Do folks over there still use cheerio? And did they ever use "Pip pip", or is that a Hollywood thing?

monster · 11-11-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar512

I've heard "cheers" to end a phone call. Do folks over there still use cheerio? And did they ever use "Pip pip", or is that a Hollywood thing?

I use "cheers" all the time (to mean 'thanks and bye", usually, rather than just "bye") but you hit the nail on the head with "pip pip". Say that to a Brit over here and you're likely to end up with a set of authentic British teeth. Sadly, some people still say "cheerio".

limey · 11-09-2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

hehehehehe that term has several meanings. Mainly it refers to somone who is messing about, not taking something seriously. It comes I think, from 'taking the piss'.

I disagree - I think it means someone who drinks a lot. Also "to be out on the piss" = out to get drunk.

11-09-2006, 10:21 AM	#1
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	British phrases I love "Bob's your uncle". I picked that up about 15 years ago on a BBS that had a messaging system with other BBSs around the world. Then, just today I ran across "horses for courses". Neither of these phrases is very common in the US, but they seem just the thing to use in the right context. We've got a number of folks from across the pond, here. What other Britishisms should I know about? __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

11-09-2006, 10:31 AM	#2
barefoot serpent go ahead, abbrev. it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,623	a sticky wicket I think it has something to do with eating croquettes?? __________________ Chooses rowing vs. wading

11-09-2006, 11:17 AM	#3
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/ __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-09-2006, 11:51 AM	#7
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	I am reading a book which is heavy on the cockney slang. I am in awe of the authors ability to even spell it and my ability to even read it. I went looking for some examples instead of taking excerpts from the book. I found a site that will translate the internet into slang...so I entered the some Cellar tag lines. http://www.thevalkyrie.com/clubhouse/cockney/index.htm A well-organized army of rabbittin' 'eads -sycamore Post and give yourself yer own reason to return It's all about yer! And yer and yer and yer and me Patiently awaitin' the dot-org bubble As addictive as nicotine, as nutritious as muvver's milk Free wth registration: a bunch of people to rabbit to Trolls, morons and spammers will be shot on sight -undertoad The Cellar: Where thought provokin' discussion is talked about. The Cellar: Where somebody might agree wiv yer. The Cellar: Because yer 'ave nothin' better to do. -Whit that was fun ...... sorry......I'lll leave now. Last edited by skysidhe; 11-09-2006 at 11:55 AM.

11-09-2006, 01:14 PM	#12
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Saying "fortnight" instead of "two weeks". "Pip pip" and "cheerio" __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-09-2006, 11:22 AM	#5
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	"Don't let's start" -- which I suspect may be northern -- it turned into a very fine They Might Be Giants single. "Full of beans" -- i.e., hyper

11-09-2006, 11:40 AM	#6
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Don't know if this is a Britishism or not: When denoting an event to happen a week on Thursday, "Thursday week".

11-09-2006, 12:24 PM	#9
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	We kind of have the same debate sometimes until someone clarifies by saying, "no, I mean Thursday week"......" Ohhh....right, next, next Thursday".

11-09-2006, 12:28 PM	#10
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	It's more of a term than a phrase, but I've never been certain of the full meaning of "piss artist". (When I was hearing it as a kid, it would have been impolite to ask.)

11-09-2006, 12:31 PM	#11
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	hehehehehe that term has several meanings. Mainly it refers to somone who is messing about, not taking something seriously. It comes I think, from 'taking the piss'.

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