Saturday 28 January 2012

Guest Post: English Lingo by Stephanie Abbott

Guest Post Compiled by Stephanie Abbott- For Orangeberry Book Tours

England and America are two countries separated by the same language.  – George Bernard Shaw.

Here’s a fun little glossary for those who might find English usage “across the Pond” amusing:
  • Fag: a cigarette.  Respectable usage: “I just need five minutes to suck on a fag.”
  • Cider: a mild-to-moderate alcoholic drink currently more popular than beer in some parts of England, especially with underage girls.
  • Pouf: a soft place to sit, e.g., an ottoman.  Also, a male homosexual.
  • Slag: an unattractive and or dirty woman of ill repute.
  • Wank: how a male pleasures himself.  Common insult: “You wanker!”
  • Sacked: Fired. 
  • Footballer: a professional soccer player and (usually) national hero.
  • Football Hooligan: someone who uses his or her support of a sports team to bully, insult, or physically threaten those who support other teams.
  • Panda cars: black and white police cars.
  • Rent boy: male prostitute.
  • Page Three Girl: A beautiful topless female featured in a British newspaper as a sort of daily confection, like horoscopes or the crossword puzzle.
  • Dog-end: a cigarette butt.
  • Row: argument, loud quarrel.
  • Mate: friend.
  • Detached house: a house unattached to any other, with a surrounding yard.  In some parts of urban England, most homes are “flats” – one-level apartments – or “row houses,” each dwelling literally attached to the next.  For some people, the ultimate middle-class status symbol is a house that doesn’t touch either neighbor’s.
  • The Tube: London’s underground subway system.
  • Tosser: person who masturbates.  More commonly, a despicable person.
  • “Gagging for it”: desperate for sex.
  • Bugger off: go away
  • Flannel: a washcloth
  • Ginger hair: red.
  • Gastro-pub: a bar that serves food.
  • NHS: National Health Service, universal healthcare in Britain.
  • A.A.C.D.: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, because “American” denotes a white smile and cash up front.
  • Top-Drawer: the best.
  • Take the Mickey: to make someone feel like a fool.
  • Open University: education open to all adults seeking career training or self-improvement.
  • Ward sister: head nurse.
  • Top yourself: commit suicide.
  • Pudding: any dessert.
  • “In the club”: pregnant.
  • Scarper: run away.  Also known as “doing a runner.”
  • Screw: prison guard.
  • Winging: whining, complaining.
  • Pensioner: senior citizen, also called an Old Age Pensioner, or O.A.P.
  • “Put you in the picture”: fill you in.
  • Petrol: gasoline.
  • Braces: suspenders.
  • Dustman: garbage collector.
  • Boxing Day: traditionally December 26th, the day when service people – post carriers, dustmen, etc – are presented with a gift of money.
  • “Early days yet”: too soon to tell.
  • Lady Day: March 25th, Mary’s Feast of the Anunciation.
  • Doolally: insane.

I think the above sample proves we have a way to go before we comprehend our English cousins.  For more about the similarities and difference between our language, please check out three of my favorite reference books: British English A to Zed, 3rd Edition, by Norman W. Schur; Watching the English by Kate Fox; and The Anglo Files by Sarah Lyall.

About the author - Stephanie Abbott is the face behind the popular pseudonym, S.A. Reid. Well-known for her “real and likeable characters”, she also writes paranormal fiction (a new series titled Past Lives is currently being penned), fantasy, and sci-fi. Additionally, she also pens cozy mysteries as Emma Jameson.

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for stopping by my Facebook page. I'm a new follower. I look forward to reading some of your posts. You might also enjoy https://botanicalbalance.scentsy.us. Have a terrific day!
    www.DrinkYourGreensandMinerals.com
    www.Botanical-Balance.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very interesting and informative post regarding English Lingo. assignment writing help

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome and great work English lingo.http://www.assignmentwriting.researchmyassignment.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good one glossary combination/collection. Thanks for sharing your collection. It is little funny but however rememberable. dissertation writing service

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pretty good post! http://www.proessaywriting.com/essay-paper/
    I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. write my essay

    ReplyDelete
  8. While the potato is of great importance in the United States, it is in northern and central Europe that it is often the chief starchy food of the common people. In addition to its use as food for man and beast, the manufacture of industrial alcohol and of starch is of much importance.
    cc algebra

    ReplyDelete
  9. Comparison of American and British English; American English; British ... Stephanie Pfirman, Martin Stute, Bill useful phrases for bachelor thesis Hahn, Dallas Abbott, and Chris Scholz. romeo and juliet essay who is to blame Introduction. ... you in on some of the college lingo. edu)) Become Music therapy dissertation a Fan. find out best replica and orignal watches with wide variety of famous brands in cheap rates at women fashion

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tuition fees for online courses are typically available at a fraction of the cost of the fees at a regular institution. Additionally, e-courseware and online resources reduce the cost of textbooks, and discounts may be available for deserving students. Falcon Embroidery

    ReplyDelete
  11. www.gmail.com
    Gmail is the most common free email service by Google which everyone uses in their daily life

    ReplyDelete
  12. A portion of the focuses you have raised will help me enormously. By chance, I like the way you have organized your site, it is super and simple to take after. I have bookmarked you and will be back routinely. Much obliged to you Do my Assignment Now

    ReplyDelete
  13. While the potato is of incredible significance in the United States, it is in northern and focal Europe that it is frequently the boss boring sustenance of the ordinary citizens. Notwithstanding its utilization as nourishment for man and brute, the produce of modern liquor and of starch is of much significance. Who Can DO my Research Paper

    ReplyDelete
  14. A few certainties: I am never going to be a vegan. I want to have carbonated beverages, despite the fact that I attempt to keep away from it. I cherish new innovation and think my lovely family or viewing a movement film or perhaps, working at my activity. Can i Pay Someone to Do my Assignment

    ReplyDelete
  15. A debt of gratitude is in order for an extremely fascinating web journal. What else may I get that sort of data written in such an impeccable approach? I've an endeavor that I am basically now working on, and I have been at the post for such data. Assignment Help Online

    ReplyDelete
  16. My friend mentioned to me your blog, so I thought I’d read it for myself. Very interesting insights, will be back for more!
    hnbgu result

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am agree with you this post, have really informative information, i have visit this post This is really helpful for everyone SY0-501 exam braindumps questions, i want to say thanks for this post.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...