Travel

Do YOU know these British slang phrases? MailOnline tests Americans on popular UK terms (and the results are disastrous!)

There are many quirky differences between British and American terms, from whether you say ‘vacation’ or ‘holiday’, or ‘trash’ or ‘rubbish’ – and there’s various slang words on both sides of the pond.

MailOnline reporter Alicia Watts took to the streets of New York to put our transatlantic neighbours to the test on popular British phrases.

Americans were left baffled after being quizzed on everyday words used by British people – including ‘brolly’, ‘fit’, ‘out on the pull’, ‘full of beans’ and ‘snog’. 

One man incorrectly thought the term snog meant to ‘clean your shows’, while another woman wrongly guessed that ‘full of beans’ meant ‘full of s****’.

Snog actually means to kiss and ‘full of beans’ suggests the person you’re talking about has lots of energy.

Reporter Alicia Watts took to the streets of New York to put our transatlantic neighbours to the test on popular British slang words

Elsewhere, another person in the US thought that ‘Bob’s your uncle’ (which implies ‘it’s done’ or ‘there you have it) meant you can ‘have it how you want it’, while one individual asked if it was ‘boyfriend related’. 

Others thought that brolly meant ‘muscular’ or ‘built’, rather than umbrella, while some thought ‘give me a tinkle on the blower’ was a ‘kiss on the cheek’ or ‘watering flowers’. Instead, the amusing saying means to ring someone.

Asked what fit means, one person said ‘yo that’s cool, that’s fire’, another added: ‘good looking’.

Next, reporter Alicia asked what ‘out on the pull’ means and surprisingly, all the American’s got it right, with one many saying ‘to pull some chick, probably.’

It comes after one man from the UK was left baffled after being quizzed on words used by people from the United States during a language podcast.

English teacher Sam, from Manchester, who co-hosts The Bridging Borders Podcast, was tested on more straightforward terms like ‘extra’ as well as tougher regional phrases.

Fellow presenter Veronika Mark – a Russian translator and content creator – started off the episode, which was uploaded on YouTube in February and racked up 2,000 views – with ‘bussin”.

‘I’ve definitely heard this,’ Sam said feebly. ‘But I’m going to have to wait till the sentence.’

One man thought the term snog meant to 'clean your shows', while another woman guessed that 'full of beans' meant 'full of s****'

One man thought the term snog meant to ‘clean your shows’, while another woman guessed that ‘full of beans’ meant ‘full of s****’

Elsewhere another US person thought that 'Bob's your uncle' meant you can 'have it how you want it', meanwhile another asked if it was 'boyfriend related'

Elsewhere another US person thought that ‘Bob’s your uncle’ meant you can ‘have it how you want it’, meanwhile another asked if it was ‘boyfriend related’

However, he successfully deduced that it’s a term of high praise, especially used for food. However, Veronika added that ‘anything can be bussin’ as it simply implies something is ‘amazing’ or ‘really good’.

Sam next easily guessed ‘amped’ to mean ‘excited’ or ‘hyped’. ‘I think that one makes more sense because of like an amplifier,’ he told Veronika. However, he stumbled slightly on the word ‘extra’.

‘Over the top,’ he suggested. ‘Like… you’re giving too much energy or focus to something.’

‘Not exactly,’ Veronika replied. ‘Well, I think you were very close. It means dramatic – like attention grabbing.’ Her next slang word was ‘salty’.

‘I know this one,’ Sam replied. ‘People say this in the UK as well. It’s like you’re annoyed but it’s like a little bit more than annoyed.’ The pair also concluded it means you’re being ‘a bit childish’.

REVEALED: THE MEANING BEHIND POPULAR UK SLANG TERMS

  • I’m gonna see a man about a dog: I’m going to go to the toilet
  • Do you fancy a cuppa?: Do you want a cup of tea?
  • I’ll have a gander: I’ll have a look
  • I’m gobsmacked: I’m absolutely shocked
  • They had Hanky Panky: They made love
  • I’ll haggle with him: I’ll do a deal with him
  • It’s not my cup of tea: It’s not your thing
  • I’m doing a stretch in porridge: To spend some time in prison
  • Someone called you a nitwit: You’re a little stupid i****
  • I’m plastered: You’re drunk 
  • That’s so naff: It’s not good. It’s gross
  • Get on your bike: Get out of here
  • Stop spreading porkies: Stop spreading lies
  • Shut your mush: Shut your mouth
  • Stop pratting around: Stop messing around
  • I’m gonna have a kip: I’m going to have a nap
  • I’m chuffed with that: I’m really happy
  • It’s gone a bit pear-shaped: It’s not gone how we planned
  • There isn’t any bog roll: There isn’t any toilet roll
  • It’s absolutely Choc-O-Block: It’s very busy
  • It’s absolutely minging: It’s smelly or gross
  • Come on, let’s leg it: Let’s run
  • They’ve got the lurgy: You are ill
  • Stap waffling: Stop talking a lot
  • I’m gonna skive today: I’m going to miss school
  • I’m absolutely snookered: You don’t know what to do
  • That’s sod’s law: It’s so typical that happened
  • Toodle pip: See you later

 


Source link

Related Articles

Back to top button