15 British Phrases That Confuse Americans

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:51 pm

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/16/british-phrases-that-confuse-americans_n_5591520.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

by SEXY MAMA Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:53 pm

Hahahha!

I can see Ben scratching his head........

scratch

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:56 pm

Why not people add their own phrases from their own nations and see if people know them?

I am sure there is some Aussie and American phrases we may not have heard of as well as some more fab British ones.

by Cass Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:57 pm

Pfft. easy peasey

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:01 pm

Cass wrote:Pfft. easy peasey

lemon squeezy

A bit of hows your.............

lol!

by Cass Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:33 pm

Didge wrote:
Cass wrote:Pfft. easy peasey
lemon squeezy

A bit of hows your.............

well butter my buns and call me a biscuit......

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:48 pm

Cass wrote:
Didge wrote:
lemon squeezy

A bit of hows your.............

well butter my buns and call me a biscuit......

I had to look that up me lady, well done!

by Cass Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:59 pm

Didge wrote:
Cass wrote:

well butter my buns and call me a biscuit......

I had to look that up me lady, well done!

well wouldn't that just jar your mother's preserves.....

ok off ti take junior to doctors and then work.......byeeeeeeeeee x

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:02 pm

Cass wrote:
Didge wrote:

I had to look that up me lady, well done!

well wouldn't that just jar your mother's preserves.....

ok off ti take junior to doctors and then work.......byeeeeeeeeee x

Am off soon too, have fun at work.xx

by SEXY MAMA Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:04 pm

Cass wrote:
Didge wrote:

I had to look that up me lady, well done!

well wouldn't that just jar your mother's preserves.....

ok off ti take junior to doctors and then work.......byeeeeeeeeee x

Have a great day x

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:11 pm

Away with the Fairys..............

Not a homophobic slur

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:54 pm

Korben_Dallas wrote:Away with the Fairys..............

Not a homophobic slur

Oh yes, remember the stink over that because someone hadn't heard it lol

://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/:

by Ben Reilly Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:14 pm

The problem with American slang is that it ends up in songs or movies that get exported all over the world, so it gets exposure in places like the UK that UK slang doesn't really get over here in the same way. But I'll try a few slang expressions and see if I can stump anyone:

"(something) takes the cake."

"Put your money where your mouth is."

To "lose one's shirt."

"The wrong side of the tracks."

"Ball-park figure"

"zonked out"

"walking-around money"

"A few sandwiches short of a picnic"

"Go piss up a rope"

"Go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut" Smile

"Blowing chunks"

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:17 pm

Ben_Reilly wrote:The problem with American slang is that it ends up in songs or movies that get exported all over the world, so it gets exposure in places like the UK that UK slang doesn't really get over here in the same way. But I'll try a few slang expressions and see if I can stump anyone:

"(something) takes the cake."

"Put your money where your mouth is."

To "lose one's shirt."

"The wrong side of the tracks."

"Ball-park figure"

"zonked out"

"walking-around money"

"A few sandwiches short of a picnic"

"Go piss up a rope"

"Go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

"Blowing chunks"

lol and yes have heard a few, though not this one and is my fav:

"Go and take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

lol!

by Ben Reilly Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:18 pm

Didge wrote:
Ben_Reilly wrote:The problem with American slang is that it ends up in songs or movies that get exported all over the world, so it gets exposure in places like the UK that UK slang doesn't really get over here in the same way. But I'll try a few slang expressions and see if I can stump anyone:

"(something) takes the cake."

"Put your money where your mouth is."

To "lose one's shirt."

"The wrong side of the tracks."

"Ball-park figure"

"zonked out"

"walking-around money"

"A few sandwiches short of a picnic"

"Go piss up a rope"

"Go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

"Blowing chunks"

lol and yes have heard a few, though not this one and is my fav:

"Go and take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

Quite a mental image, huh? Smile

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:20 pm

Ben_Reilly wrote:
Didge wrote:

lol and yes have heard a few, though not this one and is my fav:

"Go and take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

Quite a mental image, huh?

Indeed and am still laughing, excellent. ::D::

by Ben Reilly Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:23 pm

BTW, we have a lot of colorful terms for vomiting:

Puking, tossing your cookies, blowing chunks (as mentioned above); to "boot," to "hurl," to "upchuck," to "spew," to "barf," to "lose your lunch," ... there's probably 100s more Smile

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:32 pm

Sassy wrote:
Korben_Dallas wrote:Away with the Fairys..............

Not a homophobic slur

Oh yes, remember the stink over that because someone hadn't heard it lol

://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/: ://?roflmao?/:

Indeed ...never did get an apology

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:36 pm

Ben_Reilly wrote:The problem with American slang is that it ends up in songs or movies that get exported all over the world, so it gets exposure in places like the UK that UK slang doesn't really get over here in the same way. But I'll try a few slang expressions and see if I can stump anyone:

"(something) takes the cake."

"Put your money where your mouth is."

To "lose one's shirt."

"The wrong side of the tracks."

"Ball-park figure"

"zonked out"

"walking-around money"

"A few sandwiches short of a picnic"

"Go piss up a rope"

"Go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

"Blowing chunks"

Yup familiar with all of thouse.............maybe i watch to much american tv :-)

Doing a Palin

doing more harm than good ...also known as a bachmann

by Ben Reilly Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:43 pm

Korben_Dallas wrote:
Ben_Reilly wrote:The problem with American slang is that it ends up in songs or movies that get exported all over the world, so it gets exposure in places like the UK that UK slang doesn't really get over here in the same way. But I'll try a few slang expressions and see if I can stump anyone:

"(something) takes the cake."

"Put your money where your mouth is."

To "lose one's shirt."

"The wrong side of the tracks."

"Ball-park figure"

"zonked out"

"walking-around money"

"A few sandwiches short of a picnic"

"Go piss up a rope"

"Go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut"

"Blowing chunks"
Yup familiar with all of thouse.............maybe i watch to much american tv :-)

Doing a Palin

doing more harm than good ...also known as a bachmann

Like I say, this is what happens when you export your entertainment industry across the globe -- your culture loses all its mystery Smile

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:07 pm

Bob's your uncle

Fannie's your aunt . lol!

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:16 pm

right bobby dazzler= looking smart handsome.

seen me arse! - in a negative mood

spoggy
chewing gum; bubblegum

twag; twag it; twagging it
play truant, usually meaning a false sick day off school

by Ben Reilly Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:59 pm

Ah, in American those would be: "hot, fine, smoking, sharp" along with more joking phrases like "spiffy" or "jaunty" ...

"Down in the dumps," "bummed out," "in a funk"

We generally just call chewing/bubble gum "gum"

"Playing hooky" is truancy/fake sick day.

by eddie Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:05 pm

Okay who knows what

"I'm off to pinch a loaf" means? lol!

by eddie Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:06 pm

LITTLE MISS PERFECT wrote:right bobby dazzler= looking smart handsome.

seen me arse! - in a negative mood

spoggy
chewing gum; bubblegum

twag; twag it; twagging it
play truant, usually meaning a false sick day off school

I've heard more of the American ones than the ones you've just said!

by SEXY MAMA Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:08 pm

eddie wrote:Okay who knows what

"I'm off to pinch a loaf" means?

Lol i havent a clue....

by eddie Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:15 pm

SEXY MAMA wrote:
eddie wrote:Okay who knows what

"I'm off to pinch a loaf" means?

Lol i havent a clue....

You should've heard that, being a Londoner! lol!

It's something to do with the toilet.....

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:36 pm

LITTLE MISS PERFECT wrote:right bobby dazzler= looking smart handsome.

seen me arse! - in a negative mood

spoggy
chewing gum; bubblegum

twag; twag it; twagging it
play truant, usually meaning a false sick day off school

This thread might just as well be called "British Phrases That Confuse British People".

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:39 pm

lovedust wrote:
LITTLE MISS PERFECT wrote:right bobby dazzler= looking smart handsome.

seen me arse! - in a negative mood

spoggy
chewing gum; bubblegum

twag; twag it; twagging it
play truant, usually meaning a false sick day off school

This thread might just as well be called "British Phrases That Confuse British People".

Bobby Dazzler I got, not the rest lol

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:43 pm

Sassy wrote:
lovedust wrote:

This thread might just as well be called "British Phrases That Confuse British People".

Bobby Dazzler I got, not the rest lol

Heh... that's one more than me. x

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:47 pm

lovedust wrote:
Sassy wrote:

Bobby Dazzler I got, not the rest lol

Heh... that's one more than me. x

My grandad used to say 'she's a right little bobby dazzler'.

Thought not going to school was just called skiving !

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:01 am

confuse an american?? easy....speak proper "standard" i.e "queens" english that will do it

alternatively...ask the bell hop at your chosen hotel to "knock you up" at six in the morning.........

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:09 am

victorisnotamused wrote:confuse an american?? easy....speak proper "standard" i.e "queens" english that will do it

alternatively...ask the bell hop at your chosen hotel to "knock you up" at six in the morning.........

Could he make it 8 please, just so I'm awake Wink

by Ben Reilly Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:45 am

eddie wrote:
SEXY MAMA wrote:
eddie wrote:Okay who knows what

"I'm off to pinch a loaf" means?

Lol i havent a clue....

You should've heard that, being a Londoner!
It's something to do with the toilet.....

That's easy, it means to drop a load, take a dump, lay some cable, or paint the toilet lol!

by Irn Bru Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:51 am

That's been me since this morning

by Ben Reilly Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:52 am

victorisnotamused wrote:confuse an american?? easy....speak proper "standard" i.e "queens" english that will do it

alternatively...ask the bell hop at your chosen hotel to "knock you up" at six in the morning.........

Actually, I find the cut-glass accent the easiest of all British varieties to understand. The Cockney one is very tough, a lot of slang we Yanks don't encounter even on TV or movies.

But yeah, here to "knock up" means "impregnate" ...

We also have one you might find interesting; it's kind of specific, but when someone emerges red-faced and grumpy looking from a toilet stall and paces angrily away, trailing a long stream of toilet paper from the back of their pants, we call that "pulling a Victor" in the U.S. Razz

by Ben Reilly Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:53 am

Irn Bru wrote:That's been me since this morning

Uh-oh! Tell me, do you think it's possible you might have blown your ringer?

by Irn Bru Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:57 am

Ben_Reilly wrote:
Irn Bru wrote:That's been me since this morning

Uh-oh! Tell me, do you think it's possible you might have blown your ringer?

No, it means saying to someone that you have been busy all day doing something and you are weary, tired and knackered doing it.

It's Scottish

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:34 am

Sassy wrote:
lovedust wrote:

This thread might just as well be called "British Phrases That Confuse British People".

Bobby Dazzler I got, not the rest lol

Northern phases sassy . I bet there are some Southern phrases i won't have heard of Smile

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:37 am

Sassy wrote:
lovedust wrote:

Heh... that's one more than me. x

My grandad used to say 'she's a right little bobby dazzler'.

Thought not going to school was just called skiving !

Like i said sassy these are northern phrases , i know skiving means twagging also lol

by eddie Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:40 am

Irn Bru wrote:That's been me since this morning

Hmmm rather too much info I think Irn...... pale

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:42 am

It was just "nicking off school" in my day/area.

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:47 am

Crying down me leg =very upset
to give someone "down the banks" to tell them off
your gibbed = I'm not your friend any more
heres your mate = I agree/feel the same
These fit where they touch = these clothes are a little snug
Like trying to knit fog = impossible to do
She says anything but her prayers and she whistles through them = she is a liar

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:49 am

Sweating like a blind lesbian in a fishmongers - sweating. Lots!

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:50 am

BigAndy9 wrote:Sweating like a blind lesbian in a fishmongers - sweating. Lots!

Sweating like a glass blowers arse = very warm

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:51 am

Nems wrote:
BigAndy9 wrote:Sweating like a blind lesbian in a fishmongers - sweating. Lots!

Sweating like a glass blowers arse = very warm

lol

There are more, but they're not for this forum Wink

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:53 am

BigAndy9 wrote:
Nems wrote:

Sweating like a glass blowers arse = very warm

lol

There are more, but they're not for this forum

I dunno Andy I was just thinking we had found the level!
See you later x

by nicko Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:13 am

Goi.ng for a DUMP, going to lavatory for a no 2

by Guest Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:14 am

nicko wrote:Goi.ng for a DUMP, going to lavatory for a no 2

Dropping the kids off at the pool.

by Lone Wolf Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:00 pm

Ben_Reilly wrote:
The problem with American slang is that it ends up in songs or movies that get exported all over the world, so it gets exposure in places like the UK that UK slang doesn't really get over here in the same way. But I'll try a few slang expressions and see if I can stump anyone...........

THERE'S only a couple there that I'm not already familiar with :

"walking-around money"

"Blowing chunks"

WE seem to get a range of slang terms and proverbial sayings from the US, UK and parts of Asia and Europe all finding their way down here, where they join such Aussie terms as :

"Arvo'"

"Beaudy_bottler"
"Bonzer"
"Built like a brick dunny"
"Bugger me roan !"

"Dead as a Dodo"
"Dead as a doornail"
"Drongo"
"Donk" (~ as made famous by Drinky's rabid misuse and constant misunderstandings..)
"Dry as a dead dingo's donger"
"Dunny"

"Flat out like a lizard drinking !"
"I reckon !"

"Silly galah"
"Galoot"

"Howzat !?!"

"Shit a brick !"
"Slow as an old/stale fart.."

A LOT of Cockney "rhyming slang" also entered the Aussie vernacular during the 18th and early 19th century, to be adapted into our local lingo..

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