samkydd

What does the American term "Listen up!" mean? Do the listeners have to stand up to listen, or climb up a ladder, or even tilt their heads to one side so that one of their ears is facing up to the ceiling?

In the UK some Cocknex (people who talk like London Cockneys only they're from Essex and have shaved heads to make themselves look like walking penises) use the English term "Givin' it large!" which I've never understood but I seem to hear it all the time now! Is it to do with food portion upgrades from McDonalds or something?

The other American one that British folk from Putney, Barnes, Camberwell Green and Crouch End in London use a lot is "I'll take a raincheck on that!" when they want to put off an invitation to dinner or something. What the hell does it mean? What exactly is a "raincheck"?

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

TimR

All of the above! How did you know?

The "ear facing the ceiling" part is especially significant. Failure to "tilt" brings a severe reprimand or worse.....

It comes from sports coaching. The "up" seemed to me a version of the "up" in "prick up your ears" or "lift up your eyes" or maybe was added to "shut up" the guys who won't shut up without a verbal slap.

TimR

Oh...alarming. I have never seen that. Quite a picture...

Well I have never heard "Givin it large" I do know the obnoxious term "Livin' large" which started (I think) about fifteen years ago and just refers to living well - the best (or at least the most) of everything, etc., etc.

It has been used for many ad campaigns, including Chevrolet, but it has now become a term of abuse - so it has fallen out of use.

Regarding McDonalds - the term you might be thinking of is SuperSizeMe. That has also become a term of abuse because of a very funny anti-fast food film that was made about two years ago.

Baseball!

If a baseball game is called on account of rain before a certain point - usually the end of the third inning, but that may have changed - the ticket holder would get a "rain check" ticket, which would allow the person to attend another game without buying another ticket.

It has now become a part of business terminology. The baseball term is quite old - going back many decades.

dremble wedge

There's a similar principle here during cricket matches but no term was ever invented to cover it: probably because it rains so much in the summer.

You can get a refund if a certain portion of the match has been played otherwise it's off to bar and ale-abetted conversation...

ShirlGirl

It works both ways you know - we pick up UK slang and expressions (as well as American) from TV - and from a forum such as this!

"No worries" is an irritating one - I like to reply, "You're lucky!", however, "Not a problem" is taking over - just as irritating. (Why the blazes would there be? - all I've asked for is a cappuccino and this is a coffee lounge!!)

TimR

Well, some things are just the same on both sides of the Atlantic, I suppose - right down to the ale-abetted conversation.

Steve Crook

How about the Australian version, "no wucking furries" which then mutates into "no wuckers" or even "no wackers"

Steve

Harleybloke

or that phrase used by politicans both sides of the Atlantic,

'I deny all the accusations.......................'

.....You couldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!

silverwhistle

We used it of ourselves as students (c 1983), and still do – as did my former work colleagues. There was/is never any self-conscious "trying to be trendy" about it: it's just what we say naturally.

"Trust me, I'm a doctor...!"

silverwhistle

One I dislike, although it's actually a British archaism, is the use of "gotten" for "got". It's just an ugly word.

"Trust me, I'm a doctor...!"

batman

I hate the word 'got' ..... it's a word that can be got rid of as far as I'm concerned!

Bats.

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Joenoir

My English teacher at school drummed it into me never to use the above word. I feel guilty everytime I've got to use it!

Start every day with a smile and get it over with.

Dame Starry

There's more Anglo-Saxon spoken in my house than Americanisms!

YDSL x.

ProfMarcus

Then:

Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum,
þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.

- to you, dear Dame!

. . . and new thumbscrews for me . . .

batman

I wouldn't stand for that Dame .... tell him to f--k off!

Bats.

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