Observations on the English language

There are things one takes for granted when thinking of the British - and many images that come to mind - usually something along the lines of uptight, snooty, boring, traditional... to name but a few. 

These images are especially evident when in conversation with locals during journeys abroad. For instance, on a recent taxi journey the driver asked this particular British passenger if he missed Afternoon Tea. I'm not entirely sure I have every had Afternoon Tea as such, just a milky mug of tea, two sugars and a biscuit to dunk!

However, there lies beneath this crusty exterior a soft underbelly, a deep respect for tradition even if not following the practices. This is reflected in the language, a jumble of familiar words that when combined become something unintelligible to the those less familiar with the culture. A quirk of British life captured in peculiar phrases that have become part of everyday life. Obscure to most foreigners, and whose origins are not known to many, they are used in every day parlance with wild abandon.

I note a few below to help those less familiar should they be confused during a chit-chat with a Brit :)

Hoity toity

Type "hoity toity' into Google and check out the images - not quite what you expected? Indeed not, however MLP have got it spot on if you check out the description of this loveable little character : 

"Hoity Toity is a fancy Earth pony and a major representative of the fashion world from Canterlot. The term "hoity toity" means "self-important, haughty, or pompous". Hoity Toity's character design is strongly reminiscent German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in the style of his mane and clothing. His accent is the stereotypical upper class American accent."

Argy Bargy : Pronunciation Rhymes: -ɑː(r)dʒi

Etymology - It has been suggested that the term derives from the Scottish argle-bargle.Noun - argy-bargy (plural argy-bargies)A verbal argument."There was a bit of an argy-bargy over the matter.Verb -= argy-bargy (third-person singular simple present argy-bargies, present participle argy-bargying, simple past and past participle argy-bargied)Usage notes : It was used during the Falklands War in a newspaper headline to describe the actions of the Argentines (so-called "argies")

Easy Peasy - A childish term for something very easy. You might say it's a snap.

Hanky panky - Hanky panky - or "slap and tickle" as some older folks call it - would bemaking out in America

Hunky-dory - My English dictionary tells me that hunky-dory means excellent. We would generally use it to mean that everything is cool and groovy, on plan, no worries and generally going well.

Mutt's nuts - If something is described as being "the Mutt's" then you'll know it is fantastic orexcellent. "The Mutt's" is short for "The Mutt's nuts" which is clearly another way of saying the"Dog's Bollocks"! All clear now?

Piece of cake - I remember saying it's a piece of cake in front of one of my American friends, who then started looking around for the cake! It means it's a cinch!

Porkies - More cockney rhyming slang. Short for "porky pies", meaning "pork pies". Rhymes with lies. My Mum always used to tell me I was telling porkies! And she was right!

Rumpy pumpy - Another word for hanky panky, or a bit of nookie! Something two consenting adults get up to in private! Theoretically!

...And Bob's your uncle is an expression of unknown origin, commonly used in Britain and Commonwealth nations. Typically, someone says it to conclude a set of simple instructions, similar to the French expression "et voilà!" or the American slang expressions "...and that's that," or "...and there you go!"

Necking on/Tashing on - Making out, a term for heavy kissing of the neck or petting of that area

Big Girls Blouse - Wimp or Wussy. A male displaying perceived feminine characteristics through actions which cause his peers to think less of him. Being a big girls blouse is much worse than being just a girls blouse, thus it's highly insulting nature. Also used to force a man to do something they fear through peer pressure.

Gordon Bennett - Being shocked or surprised (cor blimey!!)

Arse Over Tit - To fall over spectacularly (mainly due to being intoxicated) 

Barmy - A Bit Nuts

Bonk - Naughty Times (sex), also "Bonking"

Chinwag - To Talk

Codswallop - Nonsense

To "Faff" - To waste time doing unnecessary tasks. "Stop faffing around"

Hanky Panky - Naughty Times ;) 

Chunder - To vomit

I hope this will help you on your travels to the British Isles.

Poo :)