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Posted by John Hopkins
- March 02, 2013, 21:34:17 PMQuote from: chief on February 25, 2013, 19:24:52 PMI think you spoiled that..the joke was that Robin Trip the man about house was straight and everyone knew it except the idiot landlord, he just pretended to be gay so that he could live with the girls..in the American version he was gay.And A Man About the House became Three's Company.
Some British humour (humor?) doesn't travel across the pond..
John.
Posted by Petemoss
- March 01, 2013, 12:50:14 PMMmmm, fatties. Er, I mean McDonalds.
Actually I treat my body kinda okay. I like to stay away from fast food and focus my "junk" intake on quality junk. Good beer, cigars, fresh baked goods and chocolate. Homemade type love. And it's never too late, enjoy. We'll be dead soon enough.
Posted by John Hopkins
- February 28, 2013, 17:44:32 PMWhat!!!
you think we don't have Mc Donalds..
I think you have more fatties than us but we are trying hard to catch up..
I guess I'd like to lose 40lbs but it's too late for me.
John.
Posted by Petemoss
- February 28, 2013, 07:52:14 AMAnd I thought obesity was just a American problem...
Posted by DC
- February 28, 2013, 06:21:44 AMQuote from: John Hopkins on February 27, 2013, 21:02:03 PMAs far as I know we still do..
Although these days with obesity it is "Oops sorry love I thought you were in the club"
John.
We have the same problem here. They even have a TV show called "I didn't know I was pregnant". That's how many large, unknowingly-pregnant women we have here. . . . enough to make a TV show. 
Posted by John Hopkins
- February 27, 2013, 21:09:07 PMQuote from: chief on February 25, 2013, 19:24:52 PMWhen my wife was alive we used to watch all the Columbo shows..The funniest tv series with wonderful scriptwriting and double meanings is the British "Coupling" The star is the British captain out of the Pirates of the Carribean films who was going to marry the heroine in the first film.Yeah the first time a guy asked me if I had a fag, my fast wit saved me.... errrr, no I said calmly as I pulled out and lit a ciggy... not really, I never smoked cigs... I just moved further down the bar. Faggots come from a fire... now almost always called coals.But the meatball version is very good when made right.
My wife and I are really into brit detective shows. We watch all we can find. I hate the British Wallander, love the Swedish original...
I remember Steptoe and son... or similar it became Sanford and Son here. And A Man About the House became Three's Company.
If you get the chance to watch it, record it and watch it twice so that you understand it, you would have to be dead not to laugh at that..
John.
Posted by John Hopkins
- February 27, 2013, 21:02:03 PMQuote from: DC on February 27, 2013, 06:21:01 AMAs far as I know we still do..Do they still say "in the Club" when a girl gets preggers? Or is that too old of an expression?
Although these days with obesity it is "Oops sorry love I thought you were in the club"
John.
Posted by DC
- February 27, 2013, 06:21:01 AMDo they still say "in the Club" when a girl gets preggers? Or is that too old of an expression?
Posted by chief
- February 26, 2013, 17:27:21 PMbeing a sailor, I always liked "aye"... so I knew at least ONE word when I was drinking with my Scottish buddies... ok 4 words... whiskey, pint"a" heavy, aye and pub.
Posted by Troll
- February 26, 2013, 15:33:33 PMGotta keep up to date...things change when you're not watching
Posted by John Hopkins
- February 26, 2013, 15:08:44 PMQuote from: Troll on February 25, 2013, 19:41:30 PMEveryday ConversationI've corrected a few of them for you so now you have it straight from the horses mouth.
(British to American)
"Ace"-Cool. Also used to say "the best" as in ace fighter pilot.
"Arse"-Its usage dates back to Chaucer, but its use is somehow more rude than the American's "Ass" as in, "He's an arse," or "I can't be arsed" (bothered). see bum."Biggie"-Alternately refers to poop or an erection. Not really, Jobbie is a poop but only in Scotland. An erecrion is refered to as a hard on..
"Brew"-Coffee. or tea, as in having a brew up.
"Grassed-off'-See "chuffed" below. Grassed up is informed on to the police or in school to the teacher, chuffed means delighted.
"Chuffed"-Similar to the US "pissed off." Not a chance
"Cobblers"-Another variation of "bollocks."
"Cracking"-Means the best (the `g' is silent, of course).
"Crumpet"-Attractive woman. also a 1/2" thick pancake made with bread dough which tastes disgusting unless you toast it and coat it in half a pound of salted butter which transformes it into a feast.
"Cuppa"-Tea, also "char." Brought back from India where it is called chai[/b
"Knock up"-To wake someone up or to make something from available bits and pieces, as in to knock up a play bike.The more common use is to make someone pregnant, as in "she is knocked up" or "up the duff," or "she has a bun in the oven.""
Naff'-Uncool or tattered. Not too sure about this one, it is one of the words gay people brought out of the closet with them.
"Nick"-To steal. Or cut yourself shaving
"Potty"-Not to be found in a toilet, but means crazy or looney.Also a baby's toilet.
"Sad"-Means the same as "naff." It means unhappy, whereas gay means happy.
"Sod's Law"-The British version of Murphy's Law, as in "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."Machines & Hardware
"Bomb"-Really fast when referring to performance, as in "it goes like a bomb" or expensive if you say something "costs a bomb."
"Jam sandwich"-A police car (as they are white with bright orange stripes along the sides). The word is Jamjar to rhyme with car, police cars used to be called Pandas..
John.
Posted by chief
- February 25, 2013, 19:51:47 PMVery nice troll, too bad I didn't have that list when I first moved there!
Posted by Troll
- February 25, 2013, 19:41:30 PMAfter I discovered Monty Python..about 1964, or so,my whole world changed. Here is a rip that might interest you. As "bikers" we tend to have our own familiar terms, so here are some British versions with an American translation:
Default Ever not have a clue what Luke is saying? Brit-biker slang
stolen from socalsvriders who stole from MCN 9/04
Brit-Biker Slang
by Susan Buck and Dave Searle
MOTORCYCLISTS, BEING THE fringe element that we are, might think that the language of our subculture travels the world as easily as the sun sets over the next horizon. Yet for all the universal themes within the biker world, two "English-speaking" cultures as similar as the United States of America and England are still, as wit Oscar Wilde once famously said, "two countries separated by a common language."
So, before you cross the pond, and "drop a clanger," (make an embarrassing linguistic gaffe), "gen up" (get some information) on the jargon. Then, tune up your best British biker accent and try these handy, but by no means comprehensive, translations:
Everyday Conversation
(British to American)
"Ace"-Cool.
"Arse"-Its usage dates back to Chaucer, but its use is somehow more rude than the American's "Ass" as in, "He's an arse," or "I can't be arsed" (bothered).
"Barmy"-Nuts.
"Bespoke"-Nothing to do with spokes, but means custom-made.
"Biggie"-Alternately refers to poop or an erection.
"Biscuit"-Cookie.
"Bleeding"-An alternative to the ever-popular "Bloody" (see below), as in "not bleeding likely."
"Bloody"-A swear word of great versatility. Used for emphasis, as in "bloody hell" or "not bloody likely."
"Blooming"-A less profane version of bloody, for those who choose not to swear.
"Blow Me"-Not what you might think, but a short version of "blow me down" as in you're so surprised, you could be knocked down with a feather.
"Bob's your uncle"-A wrap-up phrase used at the end of a lengthy explanation as if to say, "and that's it."
"Bodge"-A quick and dirty job, and therefore a "Bodger" is one who performs such sub-par work.
"Bollocks"-Technically means testicles, but also refers to "no good" or "rubbish," as in "he's talking bollocks." However, the phrase "the dog's bollocks" is a superlative, like "the cat's meow" in the US.
"Brew"-Coffee.
"Brill"-Short for "brilliant," which is used in such an offhand fashion that it isn't "brilliant" in the American sense, merely "cool."
"Bum"-A person's rear end, but you can also "bum" (scrounge) around for some thing.
"Braces"-Suspenders.
"Grassed-off'-See "chuffed" below.
"Chuffed"-Similar to the US "pissed off."
"Cobblers"-Another variation of "bollocks."
"Codswollop"-As in a "load of codswallop" similar to baloney or BS.
"Cor"-As in "Cor blimey" a variation of "Gor blimey;" said to be a corruption of the oath "God Blind Me." Also, the phrase "Cor love a duck."
"Cracking"-Means the best (the `g' is silent, of course).
"Crumpet"-Attractive woman.
"Cuppa"-Tea, also "cha."
"Diddle"-To con or rip-off.
"Doddle"-It's a cinch, as in it's a doddle.
"Dodgy"-Something not to be trusted.
"Dog's bollocks"-Great, fantastic.
"Duff'-Junk, trash, useless.
"Fanny"-Important to get right, as Americans consider it a cute term for the female derriere, but to Brits it means the opposite
side of the anatomy.
"***"-Cigarette, or "*** end" (cigarette butt).
"Flyover"-Overpass.
"Full Monty"-Made famous by the movie of the same name, but does not refer to nudity, but simple to "going all out" or "all the way."
"Gobsmacked"-Amazed, as when you smack your gob (mouth) in amazement.
"Goolies"-Another variation of bollocks.
"Gormless"-Clueless, as in "linp's gormless," or a "total gorm."
"Honking"-Throwing up.
"Jolly"-Classic British, it means "very" as in jolly good.
"Hooter"-The horn on your bike or car, or a person's nose.
"Knackered"-Worn out.
"Knock off'-Not to copy something, but to steal it.
"Knock up"-To wake someone up or to make something from available bits and pieces, as in to knock up a play bike.
"Knockers"-Breasts.
"Lorry"-Truck, so of course, the driver is then a "lorry driver."
"Mate"-A friend, as in "me mate."
"Mug"-As in, "Chris' a bit of a mug" meaning gullible.
"Mutt's nuts" or "the Mutt's"-Another variation of dog's bollocks, meaning great.
"Naff'-Uncool or tattered.
"Nick"-To steal.
"Nosh"-Food, as in going out for a good "nosh up."
"Nut"-To head butt, a too common move at soccer riots.
"On yer bike"-A polite way to tell someone to get moving, or to piss off. But there doesn't need to be a bike present.
"Pants"-Crap (the C-word means the same as it does in the US, but is less rude in Britain), as in something is "totally pants."
"Pear shaped"-When something goes "pear shaped" it has gone awry, a disaster.
"Posh"-Fancy, high-class, deluxe.
"Potty"-Not to be found in a toilet, but means crazy or looney.
"Pukka"-Super or super fine. Also, "smashing."
"Quite"-Alone, it means absolutely, as an adjective it means very.
"Randy"-Horny.
"Rodger"-To copulate.
"Rotary"-See roundabout below.
"Roundabout"-Traffic circle. The vehicle already in the roundabout has the right of way. Once mastered, they're fun and make a lot of sense compared to stopping for lights.
"Sad"-Means the same as "naff."
"Sleeping policeman"-A speedbump, typically these are very high in Britain.
"Sod"-Another all-purpose expletive that is less offensive than others. An "old sod" is a bit of a bastard, and to tell someone to "sod off' means get lost.
"Sod's Law"-The British version of Murphy's Law, as in "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."
"Sorted"-To fix a problem, as in get it sorted.
"SWMBO"-She who must be obeyed.
"Stonking or Stonker"-Huge, as in "a stonking wheelie."
"Suss"-To "suss out" something is to have it figured out, or have it "sussed."
"Tool"-A word for penis.
"Wanker"-One who wanks, or masturbates.
"Whinge"-Whine about something. Also, whinger; one who whines.
"Wobbler"-To throw a wobbly, is to throw a tantrum.
"Wonky"-Unstable, or shaky.
"Yonks"-Ages, as in, "blimey, I haven't heard from you in yonks."
Machines & Hardware
"Aluminium"-Note the extra "i," but we'd say aluminum.
"Anchors"-Brakes.
"Articulated lorry"-A tractor/trailer truck.
"Banger"-An old car, or a sausage as in "bangers and mash" (mashed potatoes).
"Barrels"-Cylinders in an engine.
"Bomb"-Really fast when referring to performance, as in "it's a bomb" or expensive if you say something "costs a bomb."
"Bonnet"-The hood of a car.
"Blatting"-Riding or driving fast.
"Boot"-The trunk of a car.
"Bone dome"-Helmet.
"Cans"-Mufflers.
"Car park"-Usually an uncovered parking lot.
"Carburettor"-Carburetor.
"Chair"-Sidecar.
"Cheese-head screw"-A head screw.
"Combination"-Motorcycle with sidecar.
"Crash-hat"-Helmet.
"Diversion"-Detour.
"Duralumin"-A high-strength aluminum alloy, usually not specified in the US (the most common grade is 2024).
"Drophead coupe"-A convertible car.
"Estate car"-A station wagon or specially lengthened sedan.
"Ergal"-Term for an aluminum alloy.
"Fender"-A car's bumper. Are you confused yet?
"Fork Yokes"-Triple clamps.
"Gas"-What you cook with or use to heat a house, not gasoline.
"Gudgeon Pin"-Wrist pin on a piston.
"Grub screw"-Allen-head screw.
"Inconel"-Stainless steel.
"Jam sandwich"-A police car (as they are white with bright orange stripes along the sides).
"Juggernaut"-An 18-wheeler, or any large lorry (truck).
"Jumble"-a swap meet, as in an auto jumble or bike jumble.
"Kit"-One's riding gear.
"Monkey"-Sidecar passenger.
"Motorway"-A major road; freeway.
"Mudguard"-A bike's fender.
"Pavement"-Careful, it's not on the road, but the sidewalk.
"Number plate"-A license plate for the road.
"Parrafin"-Kerosene.
"Petrol"-Gasoline, found in petrol station.
"Prang"-Sounds like bent sheet metal, and refers to a dent in same or accident.
"Run-in"-Break-in, as to break in an engine.
"Panniers"-Saddlebags.
"Perspex"-Clear plastic, as in a perspex windscreen.
"Pillion"-Passenger, also "pillion pad" or seat.
"Propstand"-Kick stand. May also be called a "Jiffy stand."
"Saloon"-A saloon car is a sedan, but a saloon may also be a section of a pub.
"Shooting brake"-A station wagon for the rich, usually a woodie.
"Skid lid"-Helmet.
"Spanner"-Wrench.
"Spares"-Spare parts.
"Sparking plugs"-Sparkplugs.
"Stays"-Braces, as in mudguard stays (fender braces).
"Subway"-An underpass or road crossing, not to be confused with the "Underground" trains.
"Swinging arms"-Swingarm.
"Tappets"-Lifters.
"Tarmac"-Road surface.
"Tick-over"-Idle speed.
"Ton"-100 mph, which used to be a big deal on a motorcycle, as in "doing the ton." Nowadays, a "ton-fifty" might be more impressive. A ton is also 100 points in darts.
"Torch"-Flashlight, but the medieval origins survive.
"Visor"-Faceshield.
"Windscreen"-Windshield.
"Wing"-The fender of a car.
Posted by chief
- February 25, 2013, 19:24:52 PMYeah the first time a guy asked me if I had a fag, my fast wit saved me.... errrr, no I said calmly as I pulled out and lit a ciggy... not really, I never smoked cigs... I just moved further down the bar. Faggots come from a fire... now almost always called coals.But the meatball version is very good when made right.
My wife and I are really into brit detective shows. We watch all we can find. I hate the British Wallander, love the Swedish original...
I remember Steptoe and son... or similar it became Sanford and Son here. And A Man About the House became Three's Company.
Posted by 49Reo
- February 25, 2013, 18:36:10 PMHow about Fawlty Towers? Now THERE is a good oldy from across the pond! 
Regards,