Today is (usually) St. George’s Day AND Shakespeare’s birthday, so here’s a thread of English phrases (mostly individual inventions rather than common idioms), starting with this…
The best English term I’ve heard for those who sit at home and act tough behind a computer screen is “101st Chairborne”
The best English term I’ve heard for those who sit at home and act tough behind a computer screen is “101st Chairborne”
Comments
1. a sickly, malnourished person [the lack of edible scraps at a barber’s shop. ‘An expression too coarse to print’ (Hotten, 1867) but note Maryborough Chron. (Qld) 21/11/1874: ‘the proverbial barber’s cat that lived on hair and soap suds’].
https://greensdictofslang.com/entry/b7nh6ra 😺
1842 [UK] Sussex Advertiser 20 Dec. 4/6:
‘I said he was all wind and water, like barber's cat.’
(Loud laughter.)
‘Are you quite sure the expression was ‘water’?
3:O)>
10. Parcel
9. Walnut
8. Flannel
7. Donut
6. Rocket
5. Helmet
4. Pancake
3. Hoop
2. Plum
1. Wet wipe
For women, the singular/plural refers to vagina/breasts.
i was absolutely trolleyed/hammered/plastered/bladdered/etc.
It works!
Soybean, hatstand, doorstop. But not so much pen or pea or radiator
Doughnut
- yoghurt
- tube
Unit
Balloon
Numpty
Fruitloop
For example, "I'll inanimate your object in a minute"
I used to work with a guy who'd say dismissively "Honestly! The man's a balloon!"
"Absolutely not. That's a crime."
"I see, thank you. Would it be legal to call a pig 'officer'?"
"Well... yes, there's no law against that."
"I thought so. Good day, Officer."
Spellings vary, but because I don't know its etymology I do sometimes worry that it may be ableist or xenophobic in origin so I don't often use it!
a few of my favourites:
- you absolute spatula
- you absolute crumpet
- you absolute parsip
- you absolute crayon
- you absolute glockenspiel
Her sister commented "Who lit the fuse on your tampon?.."
A phrase common in the Midlands, particularly around Birmingham
Meaning its probably going to rain. "Bill's mothers" probably refers to William Shakespeare's home in Stratford upon Avon (south of Birmingham)
"Ta, mate" - thanking a delivery driver for example
"Yes [pause for effect] Mate" - the conversation has reached the somebody should call an ambulance phase
Same custom in the greek church, but it's moved to Easter week, so it's celebrated today
Lmao
I also like Gravy Seals and Meal Team Six.
The correct term is “replace”
Which Tyler
Not to be confused with the 82nd Chairborne, these are "All Americans".
The British Equivalent are the "Mad Ill-Wills", officially the 1st Chairborne, but they failed miserably at the Bridge at Mayhem.
I've heard 'Stewed as a boiled owl'.
My dear old mum used to say "all fur coat and no knickers".
I think many of us who aren't native Eng. speakers love to pick up new expressions.
I for one do.
And we can usually find an explanation online if there's smth. we don't get.
(Tbh I follow a few London cabbies on the other place mainly because of their "lovely" language😅)