Image via WikipediaOne I love about the UK is their wonderfully expressive version of the English language. (It is the original version, after all!).
Say YES! to Yes Man
After reading Danny Wallace’s fabulous and funny Yes Man, a young Londoner’s story of what happened after he decided to say YES! to everything, I have several observations and questions about UK slang and idiom. Can you help me understand? (BTW, check out my Yes Man review, and if you like it, please give it a “Yes” vote. Thanks.)
UK vs. American English
Details. Apparently when you say “send me his details,” you mean send me his email, phone numbers, and address. Is that right? All we have is the clumsy and decidedly unsexy contact information. In Chicago, if you ask someone for his details, he’ll probably send you a chart of his DNA.
Brilliant. Over here, we use brilliant to mean either exceptionally smart, or sarcastically to mean extraordinarily stupid. Danny seems to use brilliant in a much broader sense, to describe something amazing, incredibly entertaining, or unique. Have I got that right?
Blatantly. Danny uses blatantly to describe anything that is obvious or excessive. Here, the word carries a negative connotation. We might well say a blatant attempt to deceive the public, but never a blatant attempt to feed the poor.
Doing my head. Huh? Whassat?
Gatecrash. To come uninvited. We say crash or horn in on. You can hear the medieval influence in gatecrash, and unfortunately we missed all that over here.
Catch them out. Seems close to our catch them in the act, but not quite. Clarification, please!
A specky bloke. Exactly what type of bloke is that? One wearing spectacles?
Beermat. Is that what we call a coaster – a thing to rest one’s drink on in a bar (pub)? We have doormats, floormats, and welcome mats, but no beermats.
Bins. For garbage cans. We don’t say bins, but should. Bins gives garbage an air of romance and sophistication you just can’t get from garbage cans. I may have to attempt to start a trend. American readers – are you with me?
Tannoy. No idea what this is. Hope it’s G-rated.
On one’s tits, off one’s tits. See above.
On the up. We say, looking up, as in “things are looking up.” And by the way, here, when someone is “on the up and up”, it means he is honest and legitimate in his business dealings.
Faffing around. Eh? Huh? Have no clue what this means, but I hope someone will tell me because it’s fun to say and I’d like to use it.
Bollocks. Danny uses this word all over the place. I couldn’t quite make out the meaning, though it appears to be quite versatile. Sometimes it’s used in a negative sense, but other times in a positive sense. The only American words I know with this kind of bleeping range are expletives!
Sloaney girl. I think this is a good thing to be, but … ?
Windscreen. We say, windshield. It’s more a shield than a screen, so one point for the USA. But then, your boot beats our trunk because a boot comes at the end and one’s trunk is in his middle. Since the trunk is at the end of a car, you get a point.
Knackered. Exhausted?
Have a bath, have a shower. Over here, we take a bath and take a shower. As a matter of fact, we take five to relax, take up a profession, (oxymoronically) give our take on an issue, and take off for the airport. Good ideas from a business meeting are our takeaways. All this taking must have something to do with our materialistic, consumption oriented culture. And yet …
Takeaway. We say carry out for food to go. Which reminds me it’s time for a spot of tea.
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Danny seems to use brilliant in a much broader sense, to describe something amazing, incredibly entertaining, or unique. Have I got that right?
Yeah, it can mean “awesome” to some extent.
Doing my head. Huh? Whassat?
Don’t know the context, but if it’s “doing my head in” it means that someone/something is irritating him extremely, perhaps by nagging, constant annoyance, etc. It’s pissing him off.
A specky bloke. Exactly what type of bloke is that? One wearing spectacles?
Not heard it in general use. Possibly someone wearing glasses.
Is that what we call a coaster – a thing to rest one’s drink on in a bar (pub)?
Yes.
Tannoy. No idea what this is. Hope it’s G-rated.
A PA system within a building.
On one’s tits, off one’s tits. See above.
If someone is “on your tits” they’re probably “doing your head in.” If you’re “off your tits” then you’re probably drunk.
Faffing around. Eh? Huh? Have no clue what this means, but I hope someone will tell me because it’s fun to say and I’d like to use it.
Messing around. Playing around. Procrastinating.
Sloaney girl. I think this is a good thing to be, but … ?
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sloaney .. Vaguely similar to valley girl.
Knackered. Exhausted?
Yes.
Takeaway. We say carry out for food to go. Which reminds me it’s time for a spot of tea.
“Takeout” is popular in some areas of the US though.
Hi Peter, Thank you for the clarifications! It’s a rich language, English.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
Details. Apparently when you say “send me his details,” you mean send me his email, phone numbers, and address. Is that right?
-Yes
Brilliant. Danny seems to use brilliant in a much broader sense, to describe something amazing, incredibly entertaining, or unique. Have I got that right?
-Yes
Blatantly. Danny uses blatantly to describe anything that is obvious or excessive. Here, the word carries a negative connotation. We might well say a blatant attempt to deceive the public, but never a blatant attempt to feed the poor.
- Negative connation in the UK too. Someone overstepping the mark in a bad way.
-
Doing my head. Huh? Whassat?
- Exceedingly annoying. i.e. someone talking or moaning a lot is “doing my head in”
-
Gatecrash. To come uninvited. We say crash or horn in on. You can hear the medieval influence in gatecrash, and unfortunately we missed all that over here.
- Specifically, one arriving at a party uninvited.
Catch them out. Seems close to our catch them in the act, but not quite. Clarification, please!
- Reveal or uncover someone’s deceit.
A specky bloke. Exactly what type of bloke is that? One wearing spectacles?
- A nerd, geek etc. Typically one with a rather obsessive disposition. Also referred to as an “anorak” after the choice of clothing worn by trainspotters. Can also be used to refer to someone’s appearance alone, if they appear meek, unsexy, academic etc
Beermat. Is that what we call a coaster
-yes
Bins. For garbage cans.
-yes
Tannoy. No idea what this is. Hope it’s G-rated.
- Public Address system. After a company that makes/made them.
-
On one’s tits, off one’s tits. See above.
- Completely and utterly drunk.
-
On the up. We say, looking up, as in “things are looking up.” And by the way, here, when someone is “on the up and up”, it means he is honest and legitimate in his business dealings.
- Someone making progress in their career.
-
Faffing around. Eh? Huh? Have no clue what this means, but I hope someone will tell me because it’s fun to say and I’d like to use it.
-Being unnecessarily fussy over completing a task. Obsessing over unnecessary details.
Bollocks.
- Used as is, typically negative. But saying something is “the bollocks” is praise – it’s a shortened version of “the dog’s bollocks”, meaning the best of it’s type that there is.
-
Sloaney girl. I think this is a good thing to be, but … ?
-Upper class, rich young lady. Lives and shops in the wealthy Sloane Square / Sloane Street area of London (Chelsea / Knightsbridge)
Windscreen. We say, windshield.
-correct
Knackered. Exhausted?
-correct
Have a bath, have a shower.
-correct, but U.S. version creeping in, along with “Grab a shower”
Takeaway. We say carry out for food to go. Which reminds me it’s time for a spot of tea.
- Yes, the same.
Hi smififteen, Very helpful as well! Thank you. Somehow “dog’s bollocks” won’t sound like praise to my ear. Quite interesting.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
i love this post. i’m glad you liked the book. hopefully Jim Carrey will do justice to the book in the movie released this month.
cheers! <– note the British-style closing
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George, Thank YOU for the book. Just starting “Join Me” and I can tell already it’s going to be just as good. Is “Cheers” British style, or “Cheerio”? Hmm ..
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
I’ve also heard “brilliant” used here in the U.S. the same way you describe: exceptionally awesome. Not sure if it’s catching on, or if I just have eccentric friends picking up phrases from international pen pals.
I’ve got to take issue with the “original version” parenthetical, though. British English is descended from the original version, but then, so is American English. Global domination by the Empire helped the Early Modern English of Shakespeare’s day transition into the Modern English spoken in all its regional varieties today… and British English changed nearly as much in that transition as American English did.
Or so my American college professors indicated. Or so I believe I remember. Or I could be wrong.
Aylad MacOdyss last blog post..The grandmother bill
Aylad, I defer to you on the “original” issue, since you are much better informed. Original or not, your English continues to be a source of enrichment for many of us on this side of the Atlantic. As for the use of “brilliant” here, I imagine it depends on the region since the U.S. has many regional idioms. For instance, my daughter was surprised to hear Bostonians use “wicked” as a synonym for “awesome”. Here in the Midwest, we never hear that. Now I’m wondering whether “wicked” is another British import.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
I learned about the use of bins from some Scottish neighbors while living in The Netherlands. I agree, it’s a far more pleasant description than anything that incorporates the term “garbage”!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Almost Time for the Unveiling!
Brad, this is fun – I’m constantly baffled by words that seem so everyday and yet divide us.
“Faffing around” is a great expression – I’d say it was wasting time looking for things, taking an age to get ready (but not said in a totally disparaging way)
“Bollocks” is a fairly strong expression for ‘totally and completely wrong’ or ‘total rubbish’. I wouldn’t use it in the company of older people though I’m probably quite conservative.
“Knackered” originally had sexual connotations (exhaustion after sex) – I believe – but is now just used for being wiped out (exhausted).
Re cheers and cheerio – cheerio is very old fashioned for goodbye, though people do still use it. (You might occassionaly get me using it on twitter) Cheers is more like thanks & goodbye together.
“carry out” can be the drink you get from the off-license, probably to drink in the street!
I think you’re doing pretty well actually. Time I sent you a book of Glaswegian rhyming slang methinks
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Joanna, Thank you for adding your wonderful background and insights. The fact that there is a book of Glaswegian rhyming slang is alone enough to make me want to read it! (BTW, I just ordered “The Hungry Spirit.” It sounds fabulous – thank you for mentioning it.)
Now on to more serious matters. Do you say “faffing around”? In the back of my mind I seem to recall reading that phrase on something you wrote …
What is an “off-license”? Danny uses that expression once or twice. I figured it means liquor store, but why do you call it that?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
Robert, Do you think the “bins” issue is explained by the fact folks from the UK are more polite and refined than we Americans? I’ve never traveled there (yet), but it really does amaze me how they can make even garbage sound elegant.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
I am possibly wrong on some…
Brilliant= incredibly entertaining, or unique.
Blatantly= obvious
Gatecrash= To come uninvited. Also, gatecrasher
Catch them out. Expose them for what they are with the evidence of their own acts
A specky bloke. Speculative fellow – iffy character
Bins. For garbage cans. Or any kind of storage receptacle.
On one’s tits= down and out
Bollocks= nonsense!
Sloaney girl= graduate of upper-crust private schools; Also, Sloan Rangers=rich shopaholics
Windscreen= windshield. And, one’s trunk stores things
Knackered- Exhausted
I suppose. But then again, they did invent punk rock.
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Almost Time for the Unveiling!
Cheryl, Thank you, especially for clearing up “specky bloke”. I really like that one … you may not have heard about him, but our governor in Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is quite a specky bloke indeed. http://tinyurl.com/548248
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
I can’t speak to the British translations but thought you might appreciate this: My husband works in sheet metal and they use the expression “it’s tits” to describe when duct work is hung well. If it looks good, if it’s level, if it’s perfect, it equates to something all those sheet metal guys think is also perfect: breasts! Cracks me up every time I hear it.
Great post, BTW. Bloody brilliant!
Hi soulmagnet, I do appreciate it …
Long ago we used “it’s tits” in a similar way, but haven’t thought about it in years. Glad you like the post!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
Brad, this was a great and hilarious post! I knew some of these but not many and it was fun to learn the meaning. I read Bridget Jones years ago and made the mistake of asking one of my reps (who was from England) about shagging and he turned beet red. I learned not to ask in public and not to ask a boy if you’re not sure. LOL!
Karen Swims last blog post..Meme Mashup
Karen, LOL. There were a few words in the book my instincts told me not to mention in this post. But anyway, if you think the post is funny, try the book. It is really good. Can’t wait to see the movie – comes out tomorrow I think.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
Off-license comes from licensing laws – licensed for consumption off the premises
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-licence#Off-licence
Also known as the offie
Karen, I love your shagging mistake!
I really don’t think we’re more elegant… not at all.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Simply The Best: Reminder
Joanna, you may not be, but you sound like it.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..UK Readers, Please Help Me Understand
Just returning to clarify a few things stated above:
A “speccy bloke” is not a ” Speculative fellow” or “iffy character”. It is a typically skinny, spectacle -wearing, meek, introverted chap, probably a with a solitary hobby. May be academically gifted to the detriment of his social skills. As I said before, US equivalent would be “nerd”
When someone is getting “On one’s tits” it means they are exceedingly annoying, usually because they have been doing something irritating over and over without respite. It doesn’t mean “down and out”
Perhaps this is being confused with “on one’s uppers”, which does mean falling on hard times, almost destitute. It refers to the “uppers” of shoes.
“Off one’s tits” mean so drunk that you don’t even really know where you are.
Finally, “sloaney girl” has now become a general type and can be used in reference to any rich young lady, regardless of location or appearance. It used to be specifically related to women from Chelsea/Knightsbridge, who wore flared skirts, blouses with the collars turned up, a crew-neck jumpers, and pearls. They probably owned ponies too.
Hi smfifteen, thanks for clearing these up.
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LAMO Brad – I haven’t read Danny’s work but I’ll try to help out. But do bear in mind that I live in the North Of England and some words have different meanings up here, in comparison to London.
For example, a woman from London used to use the word “twat” all the time, in a friendly sort of way – a bit like calling someone a plonker. But most folk up here consider it offensive. I sometimes use it on my blog, as I know most of my visitors don’t have a clue what it really means.
Details. Apparently when you say “send me his details,” you mean send me his email, phone numbers, and address. Is that right?
-Yes
Yes Brad – that’s exactly what we mean.
Brilliant. Danny seems to use brilliant in a much broader sense, to describe something amazing, incredibly entertaining, or unique. Have I got that right?
-Yes Anything considered really good could be brilliant – even fish and chips.
Blatantly. Danny uses blatantly to describe anything that is obvious or excessive. Here, the word carries a negative connotation. We might well say a blatant attempt to deceive the public, but never a blatant attempt to feed the poor.
- We use it the same as you.
-
Doing my head. Huh? Whassat?
- Basically, getting on my nerves – really annoying. We usually say doing my head in.
-
Gatecrash. Turn up at a party or event uninvited.
Catch them out. Trip someone up, if they’re lying, or being deceitful.
A specky bloke. A man wearing spectacles – probably in a geeklike sort of way.
Beermat. Is that what we call a coaster
It is.
Bins. For garbage cans.
-yes
Tannoy. No idea what this is. Like a megaphone type thing that you use to make your voice louder. Often used by teachers and at sporting events.
On one’s tits, off one’s tits. Varies, up the north – to get on someone’s tits, means you’re really annoying them.
-
On the up. Improving, or progressing.
-
Faffing around. Can mean messing around, or fussing over something unnecessarily
Bollocks. Complete rubbish.
Sloaney girl. Same as this description: I think this is a good thing to be, but … ?
-Upper class, rich young lady. Lives and shops in the wealthy Sloane Square / Sloane Street area of London (Chelsea / Knightsbridge)
Windscreen. We say, windshield.
-correct
Knackered. Exhausted?
-correct Correct but can also have sexual connotations – knackered due to having sex. I think it comes for ready for the knackers yard – a places where horses would be sent to die, when they were considered too old to live.
Have a bath, have a shower.
-correct, but U.S. version creeping in, along with “Grab a shower”
Takeaway. We say carry out for food to go. Which reminds me it’s time for a spot of tea.
The same – usually from a chinese, or indian place. In McDonalds, we usually ask for food to go.
Cath, Thank you so much for your further clarifications! These slight changes of meaning, such as saying “to go” for McDonalds, is I think a good example of how language changes due to cultural influence … if you can call McDonalds “culture”.
Anyway, it’s great you took the time to explain. BTW, I’ve started using words like faffing around and specky bloke and beermat among my friends and family … they think I’ve lost my mind.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..A Head Turner from Middle Zone Musings
Funny stuff here. I know over in my country people have this funny English accent that isn’t quite there yet. It’s hilarious though…
I have a couple more to add:
Isn’t it? (British, but they say it really fast like inn’it?) – Oh yeah? (American)
Gosh Blimey (British) – For Christ’s Sake (American, no pun intended)
Shag (British) – Lay (American, no disrespect intended)
Enuff Respect Mate (British) – Werd/Right On! (American)
Dilly Dally (British) – lazy/procrastinate (American)
You got the minerals mate (British) – Respect son/word is born (American slang)
**Oye Oye (British) – Yo Yo OR Hey Hey (American)
You’re a Star (British) – You da man (American slang)
Apart from these I have heard the ones you mentioned many a time Star
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Hi Ahad, thanks for the additions! I’ve heard a few of these, and we say dilly dally here in the Midwestern USA.
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It’s interesting how terms vary even within our own country. I also say dilly dally, Bard. In African American culture, we say “word is bond” but it doesn’t mean respect it means “you can count on it.” We used to say “word” but it meant, “right,” or “okay” and was used in conversation to indicate you were listening. Good stuff, you should travel around the globe with language and find other funny expressions. I am getting a lot of mileage out of faffing around.
Karen Swims last blog post..Blowing in the Wind
ROFL! Sorry for the typo, I meant Brad not Bard, oy vey!
Karen Swims last blog post..Blowing in the Wind
Hi Karen, I’ve never been confused with Shakespeare before!
All these nuances of dialect are fascinating … I’d love to hear more about your African American phrases … how about a guest post sometime?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Help Luke Gedeon Hit 100 Comments
Joanna sent me over here from Twitter and boy, was this amusing, especially Karen Swim’s shagging! I can definitely work “faffing around” into my vocabulary– I do that every day.
Karen Putzs last blog post..Jill Wood, Parent Extraordinaire
Hi Karen, Stay tuned! More coming this week.
Maybe you and I can introduce UK slang to Chicago.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Odds, Memes, and Ends
Oye Oye!! – you guys are really funny => look forward to some more of those UK slang words.
@Karen oh sorry about that one “Word in Bond” => thanks for clearing that up..
Ahad Bokharis last blog post..Class Declarations in Rails Migrations
As an English guy from Surrey (speaking with RP and heavy slang) and dating an American woman, I’m finding the cultural exchange quite an ‘eye opener’. We have to stop all the time and explain what we’re saying to each other to make sense. The mutual fascination/(sexual) attraction to each others’ accent makes a ‘heady’ combination in a relationship, tho’ for me it is only the softer East Coast /NY accents that ‘do the business/hit the spot’.
It is true, the cultural differences are astonishing and are much more noticeable than a few different spellings, names of things etc. though the constant use of the ‘imperative’ makes an American come cross as bossy and a little rude to an Englishman. However, Americans seem to use plain english, talk straight (in a rather healthily honest way) and not play on words or be ambiguous like the English. Good on you!
When she says “her wallet is in her purse” what she means is “her purse is in her handbag…” so you can see most of the time I feel like i’m relearning my own native language whilst trying to work out what she means. The different naming of things is just simple fun… the real enjoyment begins with the differences in ‘dating style’, ‘etiquette’, opinions, and approach to the… er how do I put this… the ’slap and tickle’
I suppose The Internet will kill British English eventually…I hope not…More importantly our cultures still have a lot to learn from each other.. I recommend any American Guy or Girl to watch the movie “The Holiday” and try it out.. and then realise that underneath all the ‘guff’ the only difference is our forms of expression..
God bless America and all all who sail in her
God Save the Queen.. (and her fascist regime …..)
Paul
Hi Paul, Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective on all this (and the movie tip!). As for the internet killing British English, I certainly hope not, but it does raise the question of what sort of English will prevail. Perhaps we’ll wind up with a mixture of influences and a whole new language – I hope one that does not consist solely of acronyms and emoticons.
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