Image by SBishop via FlickrDanny Wallace’s book Yes Man is full of UK slang expressions which readers were generous enough to help me decipher. Now that I’ve finished Danny’s earlier book, Join Me!, I’ve got several more expressions to add to my list. Here they are, with my best guess as to their meaning.
(By the way – if you’re interested in online media, social media marketing, and social behavior, you’ll especially enjoy Join Me! The story of how Danny builds his collective is highly instructive – and, hilarious. Visit the Join Me! website to learn more.)
UK vs. American English, Round 2
Nutter. Someone we would call nutty? (Goofy or odd in a harmless way.)
Starter. Appetizer. The UK term is more elegant. Over here, “atomic buffalo wing starter” just wouldn’t sound right.
Leisure center. Eh? I hope you don’t have to wear a leisure suit when you visit one.
Crufts. The name of a holiday or event?
Boozer. As a noun, a pub? To us a boozer someone who drinks excessively.
Nodded him on. Encouraged. Your term is highly visual – I like it!
Bollard. It’s a noun; that’s all I can make out.
Apple scrumping. No clue what this means.
Legging it. Giving up, quitting?
Driving licence. We usually call it and spell it a driver’s license.
Cacking. Is this obscene? If so, sorry. Don’t mean to offend.
Taking the piss. Sounds interesting in a sleazy sort of way … but what does it mean?
Busk. Even the context didn’t give me a clue on this one.
Carpark. We call it a parking lot. I like carpark – more elegant.
Scarpered. Ran off? Sounds like scampered, but that may be a coincidence.
Trilby. A hat or article of clothing?
The tills. A cash register, I think.
Hen night. A ladies’ night out, I believe. You’d get whacked upside the head for using that expression around women in my neck of the woods.
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Nutter – means daring/a little unhinged. Could be in a harmless way or not so harmless way, depending on the context. E.g. someone dancing on a restaurant table, or someone weaving across the freeway in their car. Both could be referred to as nutters.
Starter. Appetizer. Correct.
Leisure center. Used to be ‘Sports Hall’ when it comprised a gym, swimming pool, and sports hall. When saunas and solariums are added, it becomes a ‘leisure centre’
Crufts. A dog show/ competition. “Best in breed” etc. Rosettes to given to terminally snobby owners because their dog meets so-called ‘ideal’ standards.
Boozer. Slang term for a pub, also for one who drinks a lot.
Nodded him on. Encouraged. Correct
Bollard. Metal post about 2’6” high used to prevent access by traffic to a road, or to stop pedestrians stepping into road.
Apple scrumping. Stealing apples from a tree in a person’s garden, usually having climbed over their fence first
Legging it. Running away, usually because you are being chased.
Driving licence. We usually call it and spell it a driver’s license. Correct
Cacking. ‘Cack’ is a euphemism for faeces. Hence, ‘cacking one’s pants’ means extremely scared.
Taking the piss. Making fun of, taking the mickey.
Busk. Playing an instrument/ performing in a public place/tube station hoping the public drop some change in your hat (placed on the floor)
Carpark. We call it a parking lot. I like carpark – more elegant. correct
Scarpered. Ran off? Sounds like scampered, but that may be a coincidence. Correct – again, usually if one I being chased.
Trilby. A hat or article of clothing? As worn, for example, by Frank Sinatra
The tills. A cash register, I think. Correct
Hen night. A ladies’ night out. Correct. It involves a bride-to-be with her female friends, on the night before her wedding (or in the last week). Involved dressing up, drunkenness etc. Groom-to-be would be out on his ‘stag night’ at the same time, with his male friends.
Hi Smifteen, Thanks for clearing these up! Appreciate it. “Taking the mickey” is a fun sounding phrase I’ve not heard. Over here, we call a hen night a bachelorette party. The male version is a bachelor party or a stag party.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Slang, Round 2 – Join Me!
I love British-speak — want to go to London for my first trip overseas. I’ve been Netflixing all of the “As Time Goes by” episodes — a BBC TV series about a couple one of who is played by the fabulous Judi Dench. Who knew that Bond’s M had such comedy skills?
Of course, there’s the original The Office with Ricky Gervais.
Meryl K. Evanss last blog post..7 Traits of Bad Twitter Follows
Brad,
I am enjoying that kind of posts very much – does a lot for my knowledge of “English” English and US English. Being neither a British subject nor an US citizen makes me wonder if I can use what I like most (just kidding around!)?
Ullas last blog post..Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca
Brad, great list all beautifully answered by Smifteen.
I’m trying to imagine life without taking the piss… and just can’t. I wonder what your US equivalent is?
Joanna Youngs last blog post..What Did You Learn from 2008? Middle Zone Blogapalooza
Hi Meryl, The original “The Office” is fabulous. Are you a Monty Python fan? Those are still my favorite comedy.
Ulla, You have a good idea there. You should assemble your own assortment of idioms. We could call it Ullish!
Joanna, In terms of “making fun of”, we might razz someone, or give him sh*t … those are the only two that come to mind. Perhaps others can think of others?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Slang, Round 2 – Join Me!
I’ve always rather liked the word “scarpered,” but it’s not one I can really use here in New Jersey without completely confusing whomever I’m talking to. I’ve actually heard “carpark” used here, though, to describe parking garages.
Hmm. It’s possible I read way too much British fiction.
Oh, and “bollard”? Interestingly, I came across that in the Anne McCaffrey book I just finished this evening! (“Pegasus in Space,” for the record.)
–Debs last blog post..Good Company
Deb, I get the impression UK idioms are more familiar on the East Coast than here in the Midwest, but still, what is it they say about England and the U.S. – two nations divided by a common language?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Slang, Round 2 – Join Me!
Brad,
you are leaving out the Australian English – there might be a few idioms which nobody besides them know…
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca
Ulla, Andrew has noted a few Australian expressions in comments here. Around Christmas, Yvonne Russell posted lyrics to a couple Australian Christmas carols that were chock full of local idioms. You’re right – I could barely make them out. But for some reason their brand of English always sounds lighthearted and joyful to my ear.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Slang, Round 2 – Join Me!
What amazed me in watching the UK-based shows is how many references they make to US culture. I don’t see our shows making much reference to UK stuff unless, of course, there are British characters or something happening in the UK that affects the show.
Meryl K. Evanss last blog post..4 Steps to Run with Twitter
Meryl, Here in the U.S. we just seem to be a little isolated. We have UK actors assuming American identities – e.g., Hugh Laurie as House. I’m really hoping posts like this stimulate some interest in language and culture beyond our borders. We’re missing a lot.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Making a Sale by Turning It Down
Brad, came across this site and thought you might like it
http://www.effingpot.com/slang.shtml
Joanna Youngs last blog post..What Advice Would You Give to New Bloggers?
Joanna, The site is awesome! I could spend all day on it. It’s great the way he explains the meanings. For instance, did you know that “blimey” is a corruption of “God blind me”? Very cool. Thanks.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Making a Sale by Turning It Down