British English, American English...
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I always assumed that I wrote solely Canadian English, but I realise that I write (and speak for that matter) a combination of Canadian, British and a minuscule amount of American English. Everyone where I live thinks I'm bizarre because despite the very Americanised city I live in, I hold onto the Canadian phrases and quirky British phrases that I've picked up from my dad's side of the family with all ten fingers, and some toes, too.
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That's fine US English, too. People here use "wrote" and "wrote to" interchangeably, sometimes in the same document. See here, for instance.
This is a great thread.
As to clair's question re words for being drunk, according to my dictionary of slang and euphemism:
There are six and 3/4 mass market paperback pages of words referring to the state of being drunk. Just words, one after the other, seperated by commas. No definitions.
Individually, none of the sexual slang terms appear to be more than 2 1/2 pages. I had no idea there were so many synonyms for what my granny referred to as her husband's "tally-whacker."
As to clair's question re words for being drunk, according to my dictionary of slang and euphemism:
There are six and 3/4 mass market paperback pages of words referring to the state of being drunk. Just words, one after the other, seperated by commas. No definitions.
Individually, none of the sexual slang terms appear to be more than 2 1/2 pages. I had no idea there were so many synonyms for what my granny referred to as her husband's "tally-whacker."
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Luv this thread! I need help to make a character seem more authentic
so I have shamelessly bit off some of the phrases used in this thread.
As a writer who is currently immersing herself in the best British Crime movies (Mona Lisa, The Long Good Friday, Sexy Beast, The Krays, Lock, Stock &...) I'd really appreciate it if anyone can give me information on the current hottest nightspots in London, the most popular car model, and choice of alcoholic drink at the moment. My Irish/Welsh protagonist is a male in his early thirties, a bachelor, (looks like Michael Fassbender - Yeah, I wish) lives a life of crime, and on borrowed time.
Thanks to any and all who respond!
so I have shamelessly bit off some of the phrases used in this thread.
As a writer who is currently immersing herself in the best British Crime movies (Mona Lisa, The Long Good Friday, Sexy Beast, The Krays, Lock, Stock &...) I'd really appreciate it if anyone can give me information on the current hottest nightspots in London, the most popular car model, and choice of alcoholic drink at the moment. My Irish/Welsh protagonist is a male in his early thirties, a bachelor, (looks like Michael Fassbender - Yeah, I wish) lives a life of crime, and on borrowed time.
Thanks to any and all who respond!
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The saddest part is I love my English
but people say it is Indian English. Even
in indian we have the North Indians
and South Indian English
padma
but people say it is Indian English. Even
in indian we have the North Indians
and South Indian English
padma
Now you know I'm going to say this but ....it depends. Who does he want to hang out with in nightspots? Footballers and would-be WAGS? Musicians and popstars?
If he's into quick cars then he might well drive a Subaru Impreza WRX or a Mitsubushi Lancer Evo VIII or IX which are pretty close to road legal track cars.
Sounds like he would drink bottled imported lagers, maybe Czech Budvar
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Well there's another one.
Apparently in the US it's possible to have cider with no alcohol in it.
Seriously, what are you guys on?
Apparently in the US it's possible to have cider with no alcohol in it.
Seriously, what are you guys on?
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Yep. Canada, too.
Juice pressed out of apples and filtered (or made from apple juice concentrate) = apple juice
Unfiltered, unfermented juice pressed out of apples = cider
Fermented (alcoholic) cider = hard cider
This may have been mentioned earlier in the thread, so ignore me if it has, but the strangest gulf I've seen in US/British/Aus. English is slang that's offensive overseas and not in the states.
Here you can call a child or puppy "spunky" while "spunk" means something totally different to Brits.
And here "Fanny" is a euphamism for "butt" or "ass" while in Aus, I was told it means roughly the same as the "C" word to Americans.
Here you can call a child or puppy "spunky" while "spunk" means something totally different to Brits.
And here "Fanny" is a euphamism for "butt" or "ass" while in Aus, I was told it means roughly the same as the "C" word to Americans.
In British vernacular, fanny is slang for the "female parts", but is quite an inoffensive term. Not equivalent to the C word. It's the equivalent of the penis being called a willy. Quite innocent, really, but still slightly rude/cheeky.
Brit though I am, I didn't know semen was called spunk till I looked it up!
To me it means guts, as in courage. We do say someone is spunky, meaning gutsy.
To us, an ass or butt is a bum so we call a fanny pack a bum bag. Which sort of leaves you with a mental image of an American vagrant wearing a pouch back to front.
To me it means guts, as in courage. We do say someone is spunky, meaning gutsy.
To us, an ass or butt is a bum so we call a fanny pack a bum bag. Which sort of leaves you with a mental image of an American vagrant wearing a pouch back to front.
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I love this thread! I've read the entire thing and laughed my tail end off. I had no clue how little I knew about British English. I've been all over Great Britain (mind you, I was about 13 then) and apparently I didn't pay much attention to what people were saying around me.
When I was in Europe, we just followed signs to the WC to "go to the bathroom." Is it called a Water Closet in Britain? I forget.
By the way, I recently watched Billy Elliot, and I loved the movie. I couldn't for the life of me understand about half of the dialogue, though.
Answering a question from a ways back, "Stoned" does not usually mean drunk in the US. It means "high," "baked," "tweaked out/tweaking," "doped," "fried", "wiggin' out," "trippin'," "spaced out," "strung out" or more...
"Wasted","tipsy" and "plastered" can mean both high and drunk.
On the note of fanny packs: the oddest thing about them is that you wear them facing the front, or off to the side... not on what Americans call their "fanny." I don't get that for the life of me. I've never seen anyone in America under the age of 60 use one, and "fanny" is not a younger generation term.
When I was in Europe, we just followed signs to the WC to "go to the bathroom." Is it called a Water Closet in Britain? I forget.
By the way, I recently watched Billy Elliot, and I loved the movie. I couldn't for the life of me understand about half of the dialogue, though.
Answering a question from a ways back, "Stoned" does not usually mean drunk in the US. It means "high," "baked," "tweaked out/tweaking," "doped," "fried", "wiggin' out," "trippin'," "spaced out," "strung out" or more...
"Wasted","tipsy" and "plastered" can mean both high and drunk.
On the note of fanny packs: the oddest thing about them is that you wear them facing the front, or off to the side... not on what Americans call their "fanny." I don't get that for the life of me. I've never seen anyone in America under the age of 60 use one, and "fanny" is not a younger generation term.
Thanks for your info Waylander, and also euclid. I find the Subaru fits my character nicely. I also researched on the sport of rallying. I took a look at a couple more movies, "Get Carter" and "The Committments", though the latter isn't based in the UK, but since my protagonist is Irish, I love the phrase "Eejit!"
Now, if someone would volunteer info on the type of cigarettes popular in the UK, and info on what you call your "Flats" where an up n coming, hot arse bachelor might live in or near London. South End? North End? East Ender?
Thanks in advance
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Marlboro cigarettes
Where he would live is a little more tricky. Was he brought up in London of Irish/Welsh parents? If so, he would stick to his manor where he knows people and feels safe (and has backup). There's a lot of expensive flats all long the river from Chelsea Harbour right down to Docklands, but if he's from the East End (for example) he would not go and live up West.
Where he would live is a little more tricky. Was he brought up in London of Irish/Welsh parents? If so, he would stick to his manor where he knows people and feels safe (and has backup). There's a lot of expensive flats all long the river from Chelsea Harbour right down to Docklands, but if he's from the East End (for example) he would not go and live up West.
I immediately thought of Benson & Hedges ciggies. And to me, mythicagirl's "an up n coming, hot arse bachelor" made me think YUPPIE and that he would live in a studio apartment in a converted warehouse beside the Thames.
But it's so long since I lived in Britain I need to be brought up with the times. So someone please tell me if that's out-dated.
But it's so long since I lived in Britain I need to be brought up with the times. So someone please tell me if that's out-dated.
euclid said:
euclid said:
Thanks so much everyone. A little more background on my protagonist. He chose a life of crime, though he comes from an upper class background. So he lives well, only not too well so that he doesn't attract too much attention. Tell me though, do they call people who get credit card infomation by "skimming" the cards over a piece of equipment the same name as they do in the US? They're called "Skimmers" conveniently here.
I also learned you call a "snitch" a "grasser." Kewl.
Isn't...?
the term 'a grass' or 'a snout'
And Icecream Empress, now I'm home in NZ for a while (I hope!) I am appalled by the gross Americanisms which have crept in since I was away. All the worst ones like impacted and even different than, but one which is really irritating me right now is listening to someone on the radio saying they dealt to a problem.
How come, Empress, if you say Americans do know better, that we have to get the worst?
the term 'a grass' or 'a snout'
And Icecream Empress, now I'm home in NZ for a while (I hope!) I am appalled by the gross Americanisms which have crept in since I was away. All the worst ones like impacted and even different than, but one which is really irritating me right now is listening to someone on the radio saying they dealt to a problem.
How come, Empress, if you say Americans do know better, that we have to get the worst?
Rothmans used to be my favourite brand but I haven't seen them around for years. But then, I gave up smoking in 1989 - the year I started playing paintball (that's how I remember).
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