The Millstone Times April 2020

The Logic of Logos and Catchphrases By Pam Teel

Bad enough we get confused by American idioms and catchphrases, just imagine if you were turned loose in the UK. It’s an eye opening experience to hear and see what other people across the ocean have to say!! Here are some British phrases that will confuse anyone not living in the UK. Have you ever heard of a few sandwiches short of a picnic- Though, it’s made its way to the U.S., it’s not as often used as in the UK. Example- “She’s great fun but she’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic.” Bagsy – It’s equivalent to calling shotgun when you want to claim the front seat of a car. British school kids refer to something someone doesn’t want to eat in their lunch as bagsy, meaning they claim it. Anorak- someone who is a little geeky might be referred to as an anorak, meaning un-cool. Was probably derived from the odd appearance of an anorak raincoat. Example- “Thomas is such an anor- ak when it comes to train trivia.” Bee’s knees- Of British origin and refers to a small detail or something at the height of cool. Exam-

ple- “That skydiving lessons was just the bee’s knees! Do you know anyone over here who says that other then Ned Flanders on the Simpsons? Chin-wagging- is people who chat or gossip. The action of the chin bobbing up and down resembles a dogs tail wagging. Example- “Those two can sit and chinwag all day long.” Bog Standard- something completely ordinary with no frills or embellishments. Example- “How is your new dorm room?” “Oh, nothing exciting, just your bog standard room.” I guess we would call it just average over here. Boot- the compartment at the back of a car. We call it a trunk. Example- Shove the shopping in the boot! Brolly- slang for umbrella. Example- grab your brolly, it’s raining outside. Do you think it will catch on in the states? Budge up- an informal way of telling someone to make room for them to sit down. Similar to scoot over. Butchers- if you’re having a butchers, you’re having a look. Example- “Would you take a butchers at the broken bike for me?” Cheeky- an act that can be deemed as impolite or shameless, but in UK for some reason comes across as funny or endearing. Example- “John’s kids are such mischievous rascals; they are just two cheeky monkeys.” In America, that’s pretty cheeky of him, means someone who does something disrespectful or rude. Cost a bomb- something expensive. Example- “Your watch is exquisite.” “Thanks it costs a bomb.” Curtain twitcher- a nosey neighbor often caught peering out her window at the neighborhood activities- Someone minding everyone else’s business. Over here we call them busybodies. Faff- to waste time doing very little. It comes from the 17th century word faffle meaning flap in the wind. Example- “We were just faffling about.” Fag- a cigarette. The fag end is the ratty bits toward the end of a reel of fabric, which are the worst and cheapest bits of the reel. Historically, fags were the cheaper cigarettes made of lower grade tobacco. Example- “Could I pinch a fag from you?” Gobsmacked- combines the northern English and Scottish slang term gob, mouth, with the verb smack. It suggests the speaker is utterly astonished or astounded. It’s much stronger than just being surprised; it’s used for something that leaves you speechless, or otherwise stops you dead in your tracks. We have our own word for that by saying, “I’m floored.” Here are a few more:

Any road: used in place of “any way,” primarily used in the north of Britain. Baccy: shortened word for “tobacco;” also, “wacky backy” means marijuana. Barmy: crazy, insane; always derogatory. Bits ‘n Bobs: various things. Example: “My mother has a lot of Bits ‘n Bobs around the house.” “Bob’s your uncle!”: “There you go! You’ve got it!” “Bugger off!”: “Go away!” or “Leave me alone!” Collywobbles: extreme queasiness or stomach pain brought on by stress, nervousness or anxiety. Donkey’s Years: ages, as in “I haven’t seen you in ages!” The Full Monty: going all the way with it, going big instead of going home. Gobby- loudly opinionated, offensive. “I’m Off To Bedfordshire!”: “I’m hitting the hay!” “It’s Monkeys Outside!”: “Wow, it’s very cold out!” Knackered: phrase meaning “extremely tired,” often uttered after a long, exhausting day; also see: “zonked.” Legless: totally, completely hammered. Lurgy: sick or under the weather. “Off one’s Trolley”- mad, out of one’s mind. “See A Man about a Dog”- what you say as an excuse for leaving, in order to hide your destination. Tickety-Boo: phrase for when everything’s going great (Example: “All is tickety-boo in my world.”) Up The Duff: pregnant or with child.

8 The Millstone Times

April 2020

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