That Crazy British English

     I suppose to say that an expression or word is crazy or weird is relative to the situation but since I'm North American referring to British words, expressions and idioms,  I'll stick to my title of "That Crazy British English". 

     Having watched enough British programming and movies, while growing up, I was familiar with a few words that were used differently than us. But hearing them and using them is a totally different thing.  Words like boot(car trunk), bonnet(car hood), fag(cigarette), pants(underwear), trousers(pants), rubbish(garbage or expression meaning it's garbage) are a few that I just couldn't get used to.  Let me tell you that I had a few heads turn, more than once, when referring to my pants as pants instead of trousers.  These words just never flowed well out of my mouth and almost sounded like I was making fun, which I didn't really want to do.  Eventually, those who knew me started to recognize what I meant when I slipped and the strangers that heard me probably thought "those bloody Americans". (No offence to my U.S. American friends but I believe most British use the word Americans to refer to anyone from the New World)

     Most of these words are really quite inoffensive but on one occasion, I really stuck my foot in my mouth and I didn't know it until the friend, thank goodness, that was with me told me that I couldn't say this.  I will apologize to my British friends, at this point, because I don't mean to offend.   I can't remember how it came up but I said the word "fanny" pack, you know, that belt with the pocket or bum pack as the Brits say.  Well, it seems that the word "fanny" means the complete opposite in Britain as it does in North America. For us, it refers to our behinds but for the Brits, it's considered a taboo word for female genitals. YIKES!  But what I don't understand is that they also use it as a woman's nick name. Why? If it's so offensive.  And then for some strange reason, I thought of the movie Robots and the character of Aunt Fanny.  For those of you who don't know, Aunt Fanny is a robot with a very large behind who is constantly knocking stuff over. An apt name for North Americans but did the Brits get it?

     One last story!  I have a British friend who is a real gentle soul. She has this very prim and proper quality about her that suits her to a tee. But she also has a cheeky side to her and can really make us laugh.   Not too long ago, she was on the telephone with Mauri. I'm not too sure what they were talking about but all of a sudden, he burst out laughing.  Curious about the outburst, he let her repeat what she had said.  She had told him "to keep his pecker up".  How rude! Well, not really.  In British English, this idiom means to keep your head up or nose up. As for North American English, the word "pecker" is a slang word for the male genital.  Ah well, we got a good laugh out of it and still do.

     And I'll finish off with a list of other words we learned while there: bogey(snot),cheers(goodbye or thank you), chuffed(happy about something), crikey and blimey(expressions of surprise), daft(stupid), easy peasy(very easy), flog(to sell), I'm gobsmacked(I'm amazed), hiya(hello), knackered(tired), What are you on about?(What are you talking about?), at the weekend(on the weekend), posh(high class or higher class than you), ring me(call me on the phone), take the mickey or take the piss(making fun), spanner(wrench), welly(short for Wellington boot are rubber boots), love(an endearing term used by anyone and everyone for anyone and everyone). 

What an experience! And I loved every minute of it.