This thread will discuss only forms of British English and words that are native to the UK. Possible Ideas, Words, and British sayings or phrases.
Discussion on All Things British
An elderly English couple, the wife rather deaf, were visiting New York, USA. They hail a cab and start out on a lengthy journey. It being New York, it isn't long before the driver starts talking.
Driver: You're limeys, aren't you?
Man: Aye, we are.
Wife: What did he say?
M: He asked if we were English and I said we were.
W: Ah.
D: I was in England, during the war.
M: Oh aye.
W: What did he say?
M: He said he was in England during the war.
W: Ah.
D: I was in Burnley, in Lancashire. You know it?
M: Yes, that's where we come from.
W: What did he say?
M: He said he was in England during the war - near Burnley.
W: Ah.
D: Do you know a patch of woodland just south of Burnley?
M: Aye, I know it.
W: What did he say?
M: He asked if we knew the woods south of Burnley and I said we did.
W: Ah.
D: You know, it was in those woods, during the war, I had the worst
f**k I've ever had in my entire life.
W: What did he say?
M: He says he knows you.
__________________
Seanees Show...tra la la laa.
PS: I've had a really good time this evening but I am deffo NOT snockered! Ye Cheeky wee minx! :-(
Driver: You're limeys, aren't you?
Man: Aye, we are.
Wife: What did he say?
M: He asked if we were English and I said we were.
W: Ah.
D: I was in England, during the war.
M: Oh aye.
W: What did he say?
M: He said he was in England during the war.
W: Ah.
D: I was in Burnley, in Lancashire. You know it?
M: Yes, that's where we come from.
W: What did he say?
M: He said he was in England during the war - near Burnley.
W: Ah.
D: Do you know a patch of woodland just south of Burnley?
M: Aye, I know it.
W: What did he say?
M: He asked if we knew the woods south of Burnley and I said we did.
W: Ah.
D: You know, it was in those woods, during the war, I had the worst
f**k I've ever had in my entire life.
W: What did he say?
M: He says he knows you.
__________________
Seanees Show...tra la la laa.
PS: I've had a really good time this evening but I am deffo NOT snockered! Ye Cheeky wee minx! :-(
ooops maybe I am a wee bit....that last PS msg was meant for cheeky minx URIEL......forgot to say so.
Very funny joke Damian - well done.
So question, if someone says they missed the tv show, shall they use the words
"I missed the show on the telly."
"There was a show on the telly and I missed it."
"I made it in late, so I didn't get a chance to watch the telly."
"Who took my knickers."
So question, if someone says they missed the tv show, shall they use the words
"I missed the show on the telly."
"There was a show on the telly and I missed it."
"I made it in late, so I didn't get a chance to watch the telly."
"Who took my knickers."
General British phrases.
Get Your Knickers in a Twist
To get one's knickers in a twist is to become confused, agitated or flustered.
Suck it and See
To try something out and see if it is successful.
Take the Mickey
To take the mickey or mick, is to tease or mock someone.
The Full Monty
The full Monty means everything...the whole nine yards...the whole shebang.
Keep Your Pecker Up
To keep your chin up;to try to remain cheerful even when times are difficult.
Pipped at the Post
To be beaten at the very last moment.
Bob's Your Uncle
Rougly translates to "there ya go-that's all there is to it!"
Throw a Wobbly
To become very upset and angry.
Sleeping Policeman
A speed bump or speed hump.
Daft as a Brush
Someone who is a very silly person.
Over the Moon
Someone who is very, very happy.
Knock you Up
To wake someone up.
Splash Out
To splash out UK-style is to splurge.
Arse over Tit
To fall head over heels.
Bobby Dazzler
A remarkable person or thing.
Bit of Fluff
A pretty young single woman.
Blimey!
An expression of surprise.
Bollock Naked
Stark naked.
Brass monkey Weather
Cold, taken from the phrase, "it's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey".
Bugger All
Nothing; very little.
"Button it!"
"Be quiet!"
Cheeky Monkey
A rude person.
Cheesed Off
Bored; fed up.
Clapped Out
Worn out, broken.
Cock and Bull
A story with little truth in it.
Cock Up
To ruin something.
Dark Horse
Somebody who surprises others by their actions.
Doolally
Scatter-brained; crazy.
Do the Dirty On
To play a mean trick on.
Drop a Sprog
Have a baby.
Load of Bullocks
You're talking crap.
Pillock
An insult.
Pissed
Drunk.
Queer Street
Where you are if you don't have any money.
Randy
Horny.
Ropey
Flaky or dodgey.
Scallywag
A mischevious person.
Silly Arse
A foolish person.
Sozzled
Drunk.
Squiffed
Drunk.
Taking the Piss
Making fun of.
Wanker
Infers that the subject masturbates.
Naff Off
Go away.
Daft as a box o'lights
Stupid.
Clever Clogs
A person who answers a question in a clever way.
Gor Blimey!
An exclamation, short for of "God blind me...",can sometimes be heard as "cor blimey!"
Now if you know anyone who has a really stong accent you may not have a clue as to what they are saying half the time. I'm going to do my best to try and translate some of it for you. My British friends got a great laugh out of my attempt to do this as well as being annoyed by my constant questioning and baggering as to how to spell what they we're saying.
Avya
Have you?
Awroit
That's okay, all right.
Ast
Past tense of "ask." "I ast him."
Bluddyell
An exclamation of surprise.
Canya
Can you?
Carntya
Can you not?
Cop'old
To grab hold of.
Daint
Did not.
Dinna
A lunchtime meal.
ee aa, eeyar
Here you are.
'er
The female subject of the conversation.
'ers
To belong to a female.
Forgerrit
Forget it.
Garridge
The garage.
Gerroff, Gerrout
Get off, I don't believe you.
Gew
To go.
Givvitear
Give it here, give it to me.
Gizzussit
Give it here, give it to me.
Intit
Is it not?
'im
The male subject of conversation.
'is
To belong to a male.
Moyn
To belong to one's self.
Owzzizz, 'Ouses
Houses.
Wha, Wot
What.
Wstyme
What is the time.
Y'cannat
You can not.
Nowt
Nothing.
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/leesluv/phrases.html
Get Your Knickers in a Twist
To get one's knickers in a twist is to become confused, agitated or flustered.
Suck it and See
To try something out and see if it is successful.
Take the Mickey
To take the mickey or mick, is to tease or mock someone.
The Full Monty
The full Monty means everything...the whole nine yards...the whole shebang.
Keep Your Pecker Up
To keep your chin up;to try to remain cheerful even when times are difficult.
Pipped at the Post
To be beaten at the very last moment.
Bob's Your Uncle
Rougly translates to "there ya go-that's all there is to it!"
Throw a Wobbly
To become very upset and angry.
Sleeping Policeman
A speed bump or speed hump.
Daft as a Brush
Someone who is a very silly person.
Over the Moon
Someone who is very, very happy.
Knock you Up
To wake someone up.
Splash Out
To splash out UK-style is to splurge.
Arse over Tit
To fall head over heels.
Bobby Dazzler
A remarkable person or thing.
Bit of Fluff
A pretty young single woman.
Blimey!
An expression of surprise.
Bollock Naked
Stark naked.
Brass monkey Weather
Cold, taken from the phrase, "it's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey".
Bugger All
Nothing; very little.
"Button it!"
"Be quiet!"
Cheeky Monkey
A rude person.
Cheesed Off
Bored; fed up.
Clapped Out
Worn out, broken.
Cock and Bull
A story with little truth in it.
Cock Up
To ruin something.
Dark Horse
Somebody who surprises others by their actions.
Doolally
Scatter-brained; crazy.
Do the Dirty On
To play a mean trick on.
Drop a Sprog
Have a baby.
Load of Bullocks
You're talking crap.
Pillock
An insult.
Pissed
Drunk.
Queer Street
Where you are if you don't have any money.
Randy
Horny.
Ropey
Flaky or dodgey.
Scallywag
A mischevious person.
Silly Arse
A foolish person.
Sozzled
Drunk.
Squiffed
Drunk.
Taking the Piss
Making fun of.
Wanker
Infers that the subject masturbates.
Naff Off
Go away.
Daft as a box o'lights
Stupid.
Clever Clogs
A person who answers a question in a clever way.
Gor Blimey!
An exclamation, short for of "God blind me...",can sometimes be heard as "cor blimey!"
Now if you know anyone who has a really stong accent you may not have a clue as to what they are saying half the time. I'm going to do my best to try and translate some of it for you. My British friends got a great laugh out of my attempt to do this as well as being annoyed by my constant questioning and baggering as to how to spell what they we're saying.
Avya
Have you?
Awroit
That's okay, all right.
Ast
Past tense of "ask." "I ast him."
Bluddyell
An exclamation of surprise.
Canya
Can you?
Carntya
Can you not?
Cop'old
To grab hold of.
Daint
Did not.
Dinna
A lunchtime meal.
ee aa, eeyar
Here you are.
'er
The female subject of the conversation.
'ers
To belong to a female.
Forgerrit
Forget it.
Garridge
The garage.
Gerroff, Gerrout
Get off, I don't believe you.
Gew
To go.
Givvitear
Give it here, give it to me.
Gizzussit
Give it here, give it to me.
Intit
Is it not?
'im
The male subject of conversation.
'is
To belong to a male.
Moyn
To belong to one's self.
Owzzizz, 'Ouses
Houses.
Wha, Wot
What.
Wstyme
What is the time.
Y'cannat
You can not.
Nowt
Nothing.
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/leesluv/phrases.html
Yeah, remember that in American English "garage" is pronounced as it is in French, but in British English it's prounounced "garridge."
British English has a tendency to change the pronounciation of French words that have entered the language. For example, the Hampshire town of Bealieu, which was founded by the Normans and, I think, means "Beautiful place" is pronounced "Bewly."
British English has a tendency to change the pronounciation of French words that have entered the language. For example, the Hampshire town of Bealieu, which was founded by the Normans and, I think, means "Beautiful place" is pronounced "Bewly."
Very cool phrases Adam, I will try and utilize some of these in conversations, I'm sure my mates will be puzzled.
Cockney Rhyming Slang.
25 September 2005
COCKNEY WOBBLE
A FEW PHRASES YOU CAN USE DOWN THE RUB A DUB
Shannon Kyle
TV favourite Del Boy was always feeling cream crackered after a hard day on his plates of meat, but now boffins reckon that Cockney Rhyming Slang is dying out along with other regional dialects like Scouse and Brummy. Cambridge University language experts say the confusing phrases - first used by crooks to baffle police who were trying to listen to them - will soon be lost. So in a bid to keep it going just a bit longer, SHANNON KYLE picks out some of her favourites - new and old - to prove it ain't all White Cliffs of Dover yet...
Custard and jelly - telly
Ayrton Senna - a tenner
Bended knees - cheese
Claire Rayner - trainer
Collar and tie - lie
Advertisement
Auntie Ella - umbrella
Alan Whickers - knick-ersBottle of porter - daughter
Pie and mash - cash
Kiss of life - wife
Tin tack - sack
Black and Decker - pecker, spirits
Tom and Dick - sick
Buster Keaton - meeting
Ping pong - strong
Haddock and bloater - motor
Britney Spears - beersSoap and water - daughter
Insects and ants - pants
Airs and graces - faces
Bag of yeast - priest
Slip in the gutter - butter
Cold potato (potater) - waiterJagger's lips - chips
Kung-fu fighter - cigarette lighter
Back seat driver - skiver, lazy person
Cream crackered - knackered, exhausted
Dolly mixtures - pictures, cinema
Cow and calf - laughLove and kisses - missus
Do as you like - bike
Piccadilly - silly
Royal Mail - bail
White Cliffs of Dover - over
Pick and choose - booze
Queen's Park Rangers - strangers
Raspberry ripples - nipples
Brown bread - dead
Corned beef - thief
Woolly vest - pest
Robin Hood - good
Rattle and jar - car
Cheese and rice - Jesus Christ
Raquel Welch - belchFlowery dell - cell
Sausage and mash - crash
Pineapple chunk - bunk (bed)
Babbling brook - crook
Mince pies - eyes
Boat race - face
Plates of meat - feet
Fatboy Slim - gym
Rain and pour - snore
Clark Kent - bent, corrupt
Kings and Queens - baked beans
Scotch eggs - legs
Ken Dodd - wad (of bank notes)Cough and choke - smoke
Cow's lick - nick, prison
Pie and liquor - vicar
Bubble bath - laugh
Cough and sneeze - cheese
Storm and strife - wife
Constant screamer - concertina
Cream puff - huff, bad temper
Dancing fleas - keys
Borassic lint - skint, broke
Grumble and mutter - flutter, place a betRub-a-dub - pub
Royal Navy - gravy
Yours and ours - flowers
Bar of soap - dope, cannabis
Don't make a fuss - bus
Down the drain - brain
Santa's grotto - blotto, drunk
Soapy bubble - trouble
Wallace and Gromit - vomit
Snake in the grass - looking glass, mirror
Wooden plank - Yank, American
Soap and lather - father
Smear and smudge - judge
Throw me in the dirt - shirt
Rabbit hutch - crutch, groin
Ugly sister - blister
Tony Blair - hair
Brussels sprout - Boy Scout
Widow Twankey - hanky
Weasel and stoat - coat
Brown Joe - no
Read and write - fight
Noah's Ark - park
Half inch - pinch, steal
Nelson Eddy's - readies, cash
Frog and toad - road
Dead horse - sauce
Dot Cotton - rotten
shannon.kyle@people.co.uk
people.co.uk
25 September 2005
COCKNEY WOBBLE
A FEW PHRASES YOU CAN USE DOWN THE RUB A DUB
Shannon Kyle
TV favourite Del Boy was always feeling cream crackered after a hard day on his plates of meat, but now boffins reckon that Cockney Rhyming Slang is dying out along with other regional dialects like Scouse and Brummy. Cambridge University language experts say the confusing phrases - first used by crooks to baffle police who were trying to listen to them - will soon be lost. So in a bid to keep it going just a bit longer, SHANNON KYLE picks out some of her favourites - new and old - to prove it ain't all White Cliffs of Dover yet...
Custard and jelly - telly
Ayrton Senna - a tenner
Bended knees - cheese
Claire Rayner - trainer
Collar and tie - lie
Advertisement
Auntie Ella - umbrella
Alan Whickers - knick-ersBottle of porter - daughter
Pie and mash - cash
Kiss of life - wife
Tin tack - sack
Black and Decker - pecker, spirits
Tom and Dick - sick
Buster Keaton - meeting
Ping pong - strong
Haddock and bloater - motor
Britney Spears - beersSoap and water - daughter
Insects and ants - pants
Airs and graces - faces
Bag of yeast - priest
Slip in the gutter - butter
Cold potato (potater) - waiterJagger's lips - chips
Kung-fu fighter - cigarette lighter
Back seat driver - skiver, lazy person
Cream crackered - knackered, exhausted
Dolly mixtures - pictures, cinema
Cow and calf - laughLove and kisses - missus
Do as you like - bike
Piccadilly - silly
Royal Mail - bail
White Cliffs of Dover - over
Pick and choose - booze
Queen's Park Rangers - strangers
Raspberry ripples - nipples
Brown bread - dead
Corned beef - thief
Woolly vest - pest
Robin Hood - good
Rattle and jar - car
Cheese and rice - Jesus Christ
Raquel Welch - belchFlowery dell - cell
Sausage and mash - crash
Pineapple chunk - bunk (bed)
Babbling brook - crook
Mince pies - eyes
Boat race - face
Plates of meat - feet
Fatboy Slim - gym
Rain and pour - snore
Clark Kent - bent, corrupt
Kings and Queens - baked beans
Scotch eggs - legs
Ken Dodd - wad (of bank notes)Cough and choke - smoke
Cow's lick - nick, prison
Pie and liquor - vicar
Bubble bath - laugh
Cough and sneeze - cheese
Storm and strife - wife
Constant screamer - concertina
Cream puff - huff, bad temper
Dancing fleas - keys
Borassic lint - skint, broke
Grumble and mutter - flutter, place a betRub-a-dub - pub
Royal Navy - gravy
Yours and ours - flowers
Bar of soap - dope, cannabis
Don't make a fuss - bus
Down the drain - brain
Santa's grotto - blotto, drunk
Soapy bubble - trouble
Wallace and Gromit - vomit
Snake in the grass - looking glass, mirror
Wooden plank - Yank, American
Soap and lather - father
Smear and smudge - judge
Throw me in the dirt - shirt
Rabbit hutch - crutch, groin
Ugly sister - blister
Tony Blair - hair
Brussels sprout - Boy Scout
Widow Twankey - hanky
Weasel and stoat - coat
Brown Joe - no
Read and write - fight
Noah's Ark - park
Half inch - pinch, steal
Nelson Eddy's - readies, cash
Frog and toad - road
Dead horse - sauce
Dot Cotton - rotten
shannon.kyle@people.co.uk
people.co.uk
**For example, the Hampshire town of Bealieu, which was founded by the Normans and, I think, means "Beautiful place" is pronounced "Bewly." **
ADAM: You've spelt it wrongly......it doesn't even LOOK Feench the way you wrote it! The town in Hampshire is BEAULIEU.....now doesn't that look properly French?
You're right on the other points though...it is pronounced ['Bi:u: li:] in the Anglicised way and it does mean "beautiful place" ....as it truly is according to it's web site......on the edge of the New Forest and it being a yachting centre on an inlet leading into the Solent.
A lot of places along the South coast of England have French names.....eg Herstmonceux where there's a huge castle..... even in the North of England...the abbey at Rievaulx. A throwback from the Norman Conquest.
ADAM: You've spelt it wrongly......it doesn't even LOOK Feench the way you wrote it! The town in Hampshire is BEAULIEU.....now doesn't that look properly French?
You're right on the other points though...it is pronounced ['Bi:u: li:] in the Anglicised way and it does mean "beautiful place" ....as it truly is according to it's web site......on the edge of the New Forest and it being a yachting centre on an inlet leading into the Solent.
A lot of places along the South coast of England have French names.....eg Herstmonceux where there's a huge castle..... even in the North of England...the abbey at Rievaulx. A throwback from the Norman Conquest.
A lot of ENGLISH names don't seem to be pronounced according to English pronunciation guidelines there, Damian!
Feench = now that doesn't even look French either! typo
ADAM: re Beaulieu - I see now that you corrected yourself! Sorry.
ADAM: re Beaulieu - I see now that you corrected yourself! Sorry.