Dictionary of American and English Usage (part 02/02)
Jeremy Smith
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun;
The Japanese don't care to, the Chinese wouldn't dare to;
Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one;
But Englishmen detest a siesta.
-Noel Coward
[looks like the pound symbol turned into a ^\, there are 43 of them]
" punc : inverted commas
() punc : brackets, round brackets
[] punc : square brackets
{} punc : curley brackets, brace
. punc : full stop
1/-, 1s, 12d n : symbol for shilling (12d), about size of a quarter,
still in circulation, equivalent to 5p, syn. bob, shilling bit
10/- n : symbol for (brown) ten shilling note, ten bob
10/6d n : half a guinea, ten-and-six (see Mad Hatter's *topper*
2/- n : symbol for florin, two shillings, about the size of a half
dollar, still in circualtion, equivalent to 10p
2/6d n : symbol for half-a-crown, two-and-six (pence), larger than a
half dollar
20/-, 1, 240d, 100*p* n : alternate for 1 (green), pound, pound
sterling, soveriegn
21/- n : symbol for guinea, twenty-one shillings
3d /threp*ns/ /thr*p*ns/ /thruhp*ns/ /thrup*ns/ n : symbol for
threepence, threepenny bit, silver (about size of a dime) until 1920,
then 12-sided brass coin like a fat nickel
5/- n : symbol for crown, five shillings, huge, much larger than a
silver dollar
6d /sicksp*ns/ n : symbol for sixpence, about size of a dime, syn.
*tanner*
999 : emergency police number, like 911
(a latin L) : pound, symbol for pounds sterling. 1968 was the year
of decimalization of the British currency when a pound became 100 new
pennies. Prior to that a pound was 20 shillings, a shilling twelve
pence (pennies) and the smallest division of a penny was a farthing.
It is written /s/d and /s/- for even shillings. Unless otherwise
noted, all references to money will be to the old money.
From 1776 till WWII 1 fluctuated between $3-$5 (1864 peak of
$12). Since WWII it has fluctuated around $2 when 1d was 1 (low of
$1.04 in 1985). Hence, the slang dollar for 5/- was accurate until
WWII.
10 n : symbol for ten pounds (brown)
5 n : symbol for five pound note (blue, though, like the *tenner*'s,
they used to be huge white sheets inscribed with gold filagree, plenty
of room to wrap some honey and money in)
+d /haypnee/ n : symbol for a *halfpenny*, about the size of a thin
copper quarter
,d n : symbol for a *farthing*, four to a penny, about the size of a
copper cent, went out of circulation in 1956
a
A levels n : GCE (general certificate of education), advanced level,
state exams taken in major subjects at the end of sixth *form* (age
~18) and usually prerequisit for college, see *O levels*
abominable snowman n : Himalyan bigfoot, *yeti*
ackers [Egyptian, ~akka~, one piastre] n : pound notes or money in
general
acushla /*kushlah/ [Irish cuisle O pulse (of my heart)] n : darling
advert inf n : used to refer both to tv commercials and ads in
magazines and newspapers, syn. ad "I'm sick of the adverts on the
telly"
aerial n : antennae
air gun n : bee bee gun
alsatian n : german shepherd
aggro sl n : aggression, but often in reference to street violence,
syn. *bother*
annihilate v : cream
{annoy} v : syn. bug
anorak n : parka
apple mac n : macintosh
apples and pairs crsl n : stairs
arse n : ass, "He's a right arse", "Stop arseing around"
arsehole n : asshole
arse over tit adj : snafu
arterial road n : expressway
articulated lorry n : trailer truck, tractor-trailer
assessor [insurance] n : adjustor
aubergine n : egg plant
au pair /oh peir/ n : foreign girl exchanging housework for room and
board in order to be exposed to the language
auntie adj : eccentric, individual, conservative, and somehow
everlasting
auntie's coming n : that time of the month, "sorry, I can't, auntie's
coming"
Autocue(R) n : TelePrompTer(R)
autumn n : fall
ay(e) [Scot] interj : yes
b
b&b n : Bed and Breakfast
baby's dummy n : pacifier
bad deal n : bum steer
badge n : pin
bag n : purse
balaclava, balaclava hat n : woolen cap covering head and neck with hole
for face
balls intj : testicals, but in this sense used exactly like bullshit,
syn. *bollocks*
balls up sl adj : screw up
balsa wood n : strong but very light wood used in model making, and
occaisionally used by implication to describe something as
insubstantial
banger sl n : sausage; decrepit old car; loud firecracker
bank holiday n : legal holiday
bap n : hamburger buns
Bard, Bard of Avon : William Shakespeare
barmy sl n : crazy
bastard [Aus] offn sl n : common Australian deprecation, "six-fingered
inbred bastard"
basin n : bathroom sink
bat [ping pong] n : paddle
bath n : bathtub
bath v : bathe
Battenberg cake [German town] n : square four-checkered pink and yellow
sponge cake frosted entirely in *marzipan*
batty adj : crazy
beach hut n : cabana
beak sl n : magistrate
beat adj : tired, exhausted
bed n : sack
bed bug n : chinch
Bedlam n : mayhem
Beefeater n : Yeoman of the Guard
beer mat n : coaster
beer n : suds
beetroot n : beet
Belisha beacon /b*lee*sha/ /b*lee*sha/ n : flashing orange globe on
pole by *zebra crossings*
bender n : hoser, *wanker*
bent adj : gay
berk [rsl Berkshire hunt] n : annoying or inept person
Berkshire /barksh*/ n :
bespoke n : custom-made
beta /beeta/ n : a /bayta/[US] the second letter of the Greek alphabet
biccies /bikees/ col n : *biscuits*
big dipper n : roller coaster
big wheel n : ferris wheel
bilge sl adj : bs
bill [restaurant] n : check
billingsgate n : violent invective (from the scolding of fish-women in
the market)
billion n : billion = 10^9 in US and 10^12 in GB though it's moving
over to mean 10^9.
bimbo n : deb (debutante)
bin n : waste paper basket, trash can, waste bin
bird sl n : young woman syn. broad, chick, cute young thing
bird, doing vi : doing time in prison
Biro(R) n : ball point pen
biscuit (sweet) n : cookie
biscuit with fig filling n : fig newton
biscuit (unsweetened) n : cracker
bizzy lizzy n : ~Impatiens~ impatience
black or white (coffee) v : with or without (milk)
Black Maria n : prison van, patrol wagon, *paddy wagon*
blackleg n : scab
blighter inf n : irritating person "cheeky blighter"
blighty n : the British Isles
blinkers n : indicators, turn signal, turn lights
blither v : blather, "blithering idiot"
block of flats n : apartment building
{bloke} n : syn. {+} hunk, dude! {0} guy, dude, {-}dummy, weinie,
dingbat, dweeb, nerd, ding-a-ling, klutz, {--} fink, stoopid, ditz,
dork, bozo, dumb-ass, flake, {---} tard
bloody intj : generic English swearword as offensive, strong and vulgar
as fuck
bloody queenslander [Aus] sl : the ultimate insult
bloomers n : woman's baggy *knickers*
blooming adj : euphemism for bloody, "bloomin' idiot"
blotto sl adj : out of it (as in drunk)
bludger [Aus] n : scrounger
bluebottle [from `bottle and stopper' crsl : *copper*] inf n :
uniformed policeman
bob n : shilling, "lend me a bob, mate"
bodge n v : kludge
boffin n : research scientist usually reknowned as a genius, syn.
Einstein
bog sl n : bathroom, restroom, hence public bogs, *bog-paper*
bog paper sl n : toilet paper, syn, *loo paper*, tp
boiler suit n : overalls
bollocks intj : syn. bullshit, *balls*
bomb n : great success
bonce sl n : head
bonnet n : hood
bonkers adj : crazy
bonzer sl [Aus] adj : excellent, awsome, rad(ical)
boob toob n : TV
boob n : boo-boo, blooper
book v : make reservation
boost, rise v : hike
boot n : trunk / rear deck
bootlace n : shoelace
boozer n : bar
booze-up v : festive occaision whose main activity is getting *sloshed*
borstal n : reform school
botch v : kludge
bother /both*/ /bov*/ /bovah/ n : trouble, usually in reference to
street violence, syn. *aggro*
bottle n : guts, nerve
{bottom} n : syn. ass, butt, fanny
bottom drawer n : hope chest
bouy /boy/ n : /booee/
bowler hat n : derby
bowler/hard hat n : derby
box room n : lumber room
Boxing Day n : December 26^th, day after Christmas Day
braces n : suspenders
brains n : smarts
brass inf n : money
brass tacks n : nitty-gritty
bread [crsl bread and honey] n : money
break [school] n : recess
breasts n : syn. titties, ta-tas /tah tars/, bazooms (euph for bosoms),
tits, boobs
bridge roll n : hot dog roll
brill, brilliant** adj : syn. sweet, bad, *safe*
briny n : the sea
bristol's crsl [Bristol City] n : breasts, syn. *knockers*, ta-tas
British Isles, The n : the geographical islands comprising GB, Ireland,
Channel Islands, and The Isle of Man
brolly n : umbrella
brothel creepers n : quiet thick soled shoes or ironicly, large
clodhoppers
browned off adj : fed up, despondant
brum n : person from Birmingham
bubble and squeak n : fried leftover cabbage and potatoes
buckshee [Hindi ~baksis~] sl n : free
bugger sl n v : *bloke*, "silly old bugger", to screw, cheat, ream,
"I've been buggered!"
bugger off intj : scram
bugger, bugger it intj : darn, darn it
buggered, buggered out sl adj : tired, tired out, syn. knackered,
fagged out
bully adj : splendid, jolly good
bum sl n : butt or buttocks or anus
bumf [military] n : bum-fodder, toilet paper, bureaurocratic paperwork
bum fluff n : pubescent beard
bundle [school boy] n : fight or general brawl
bung sl v : throw carelessly, casually toss
bunk, bunk off sl v : to sneak off without telling anyone, to sneak a
ride "bunk the *tube* to Archway [tube station in N. London]"
butch s**l adj : syn. macho
butcher n : inept *chippy*
butcher's [butcher's hook] crsl v : look, get a load of
butt n : large cask, as in rain butt the large barrel under the gutter
to collect rain water
butter bean n : lima bean
buzz off intj : scram
by-law n : ordinance
c
cack-handed adj : clumsy
cake hole sl n : mouth
candy floss n : cotton candy
~capsicum~ n : green and red peppers
car park n : parking lot
caravan n : trailer
carborundum(R) n : whetstone
caretaker, porter n : janitor
caster sugar n : powdered sugar
catapult n : slingshot
cattle grid n : Texas gate
catty abbr : *catapult*, "trusty catty"
centre, city or business n : downtown
centre reservation [road] n : median strip or divider
champers /shampers/ n : champagne
chap n : fellow, syn. guy
char sl n : tea
char abbr n : char lady
chat v : rap
cheap and nasty adj : syn. mickey mouse, *made in Hong Kong*
{cheat} v : syn. gyp, bum steer, bunk, screw, ream, scam
cheeky adj : impudent, syn. smartass
cheesed off adj : teed off
chemist n : drugstore, pharmacist
chicory n : endive
chillum n : large funnel shaped *joint*, or one made from a tube of
clay, wood, or even a hollowed out carrot
chimney n : smokestack
china crsl [china plate] n : *mate*
chippy inf n : carpenter, purveyor of fish & chips
chips n : french fries, only larger and greasier
chiropodist n : podiatrist
chirpy inf adj : cheerful and lively
christmas cracker n : fire cracker, traditional christmas party favor
containing paper party hat and a fortune cookie-like message.
Occaisionally used to describe something that's too brief, "He came
like a christmas cracker"
choccy biccies /chokee bikees/ inf n : scrumptious chocolate biscuits
chock-a-block, chock-full n : completely full
choked n : speechless with emotion
Cholmondeley /chuhmlee/ : a last name famous, as are *Fanshaw* and
Cockburn /kohbern/, for its surprising pronunciation
chopper sl n : penis
CID : Criminal Investigation Department is the GB equivalent of the FBI
christian name n : first, given name
chuffed adj : pleased, syn. stoked
chunder /chuhndah/ v : throw up
cinema n : movie theater
clanger inf n : blunder, syn. blooper
class [school] n : grade, syn. form
clear off!, clear out! inf intj : go away! syn. beat it!
click inf vi : realize, flash of understanding, the moment of getting
a clue, syn. catch-on, cotton, cotton-on, *twig*, *tumble*
clingfilm n : saranwrap
clink sl n : prison
cloakroom n : checkroom
clobber [Yiddish] sl n : clothing, gear, *kit*
clot inf n : fool
clothes peg n : clothespin
clotted cream n : really thick rich cream used like butter on pastries,
scones, etc
clout v : hit, slap, clip
clown n : hoser
club, in the adj : pregnant
cock-up n : screw-up
Cockney n adj : person born within the sound of Bow Bells, City of
London, syn. *east ender*
codger inf n : old man
codswallop n : hogwash
cold water dispenser n : water cooler
collar stud n : collar button
collar stiffener n : collar stay
collywobbles sl n : nervousness
comfy contr adj : comfortable
comic n : comic book, strip cartoons
commissioner for oaths n : notary public
Commonwealth, the n : informal grouping of the UK and the majority of
its former dependencies
complain v : bitch
confuse an issue v : obfuscate
conk sl n : nose, syn. *hooter*
conker inf n : buckeye, horse chestnut
conscription n : draft
convoy n : caravan
cooker n : stove
coon offn sl n : black person, syn. nigger
copper n : penny, sl : policeman
coppers n : pennies, money
coppice n : thicket, copse
cor intj : syn. wow, gee
corn n : generic term for cereals (rye, oats, wheat, etc), corn-on-
the-cob type corn is called maize
cornet, ice cream n : cone, ice cream
cornflour n : cornstarch
cos lettuce n : romaine lettuce
cosh n v : bludgeon, club
cot n : babies crib
cotton inf v : realize, syn. *twig*, *tumble*, *suss*
cotton n : thread
cotton wool n : cotton (balls)
couch grass /kooch/ n : crab grass
counterpane n : bedspread
courgettes n : zucchini
Coventry, send to v : ostracize
cow derog sl n : irritating woman, "silly old cow", "silly old moo",
syn. bitch
cow gum n : rubber cement
cranial fins sl n : ears
cranky adj : eccentric
cravat n : ascot
crayfish n : crawfish, crawdad
{crazy} adj : insane, syn. unglued, kook
cream cracker n : soda cracker
create sl v : kick up one hell of a fuss
creek n : stream, bay, inlet or section of river affected by tides due
to proximity to sea
creep n : obnoxious or servile person, syn. fink, hoser
crikey intj : expressing astonishment, syn. geeze
cripes intj : syn. whoa!, criminy
crisps n : potato chips
{criticize} v :
cropper inf n : victim of a disaster, "He came a right cropper"
cross adj : angry
crumpet n : muffin
crumpet n also pl : woman as sex
crushing bore n : mercilessly boring person or situation
crutch n : crotch
cul-de-sac n : dead end, not a through street
cupboard n : closet
currant bread n : raisin bread
currant bun crsl : sun
curriculum vitae n : resum
custard apple n : sweetsop
d
d n : symbol for penny, syn. *copper*
daft inf adj : silly, foolish "daft *ha'p'orth*" /daft hayp*th/
dag [NZ] sl n : the dried clumps of manure matted wool around a
sheep's butt, hence "rattle your dags" -get a move on. Also, means
mate, good guy, alright bloke
{darn} intj : exclamation of surprize, annoyance, syn. {+} wow, gee,
whoa!, {0} geeze, shucks {-} criminy, darn, heck, {--} shoot
dear adj : expensive
death duties n : estate tax
decorator n : paper hanger
deerstalker n : Sherlock Holmes hat, cap peaked front and back, ear
flaps tied up or down
degree : bachelor's is graded: fail [F], pass [E], honours; honours
are third class [D], lower second (2:2) [C], upper second (2:1) [B],
first class [A], and `starred first' [A+] indicating exceptional merit
dekko [Hindi] v : look, glance
dental probe n : explorer
depot /depoh/ n : service or storgae buildings for buses or trains
depressive n : downer
Derby, The /darby/ n : annual horse race at Epson *Downs*, syn.
Kentucky Derby
derv n : diesel fuel
Devonshire cream n : *clotted cream*
diagonally opposite adj : catty corner, kitty corner
dialing code n : area code
diamante n : rhinestone
diary n : small calender book
dicey adj : risky
diddle inf v : swindle
diddums n : mildly sarcastic commiseration said to over-reacting hurt
person, especially children
digs n : lodgings
digger sl n : Australian
dim col adj : dim witted
dinkum [Aus, NZ] adj : genuine, right, "fair dinkum"
dinky inf adj : tiny
directory inquiries n : information
dismal inf adj : dreadful
disembark v : debark
disembark (from a plane) v : deplane
district n : precinct
div [from deviant?] n : syn. weinie
diversion n : detour
DIY : Do-It-Yourself, a DIY shop is equivalent to Builder's Emporium
doctor's spatula n : tongue depressor
doddle n : push-over
Dodgem's(R) n : bumper cars
dodgey adj : flaky, tricky
dog-end n : ciggarette butt
dole n : government unemployment benefits, hence `on the dole'
dollar sl n : five shilling piece, 5/-, five bob, 25p
dong n : penis, syn. ding-a-ling
donkey's years inf n : long time
dope sl n : refers often to marijuana rather than drugs in general
Doris n : proverbial dumb blonde secretary
Doris trap n : domesticated distant cousin of the Kite-eating Tree that
lays in wait for *Doris*'s (in places like loose floor boards)
doss sl v : sleep, bum around
dosser n : transient, bum
doss house n : flop house
dotty adj : slightly touched
double dutch n : gobbledygook
The Downs n : undulating chalk and limestone uplands; The North Downs
are mostly in Kent and The South Downs are mostly in Sussex and Surrey
drain [indoors] n : sewer pipe, soil pipe
draper n : dry goods store, dealer in fabrics and sewing supplies
draught n : draft
draught excluder n : weather stripping
draughts /drahfts/ n : checkers
drawing pin n : thumb tack
dress circle n : mezzanine
dressing gown n : bath robe
dribble v : drool
dripping n : fat saved from roasted meat used as savory butter, *toast
and dripping* being a popular snack
druggist n : *chemist*
{drunk} adj : blitzed, tanked, three sheets in the wind
dual carriageway n : divided highway
duds n : clothes
dummy n : pacifier, sauger[German]
dungarees n : overalls, pants with bib and shoulder straps
dustbin lorry n : garbage truck
dustbin man n : trash man, garbage man
dustbin n : garbage can, trash can
duvet /doovay/ n : quilt, down comforter, *eiderdown*
dynamo n : generator
e
earth wire n : ground
East Anglia n : England's eastern counties that form the characteristic
rounded bump in the south-east
East End n : London east of the City as far as the River Lea
east ender n : person from the East End, *Cockney*
eccles cakes [Eccles - town in Lancashire] n : fancy currant cakes
egg flip n : eggnog
eiderdown n : comforter
eidetic memory n : photographic memory
elastoplast n : bandaid
electric cooker n : range
endive n : chicory
Emerald Isle n : Ireland
estate car n : station wagon
estate agent n : realtor
exercise bout n : work-out
f
face flannel n : washcloth
fag n : cigarette
fagged out adj : tired out
fair n : syn. *fun fair*, carnival, amusement park
fanny n : vagina
Fanshaw n : spelling of *Featherstoneaugh* because of how it is
pronounced
farthing n : *,d*, coin of least value, "haven't got two brass
farthings to rub together"
Featherstoneaugh /fanshor/ n : persons surname, see *Charmondesly*
feck [Ir] sl intj : weak euph for fuck
feckless sl adj : ineffectual, *gormless*
f te n : village fair
fiberboard n : masonite
film n : movie
filofax n : Daytimer(R)
first floor n : second floor
fish slice n : spatula
fitted [carpet] n : wall to wall
five minute break n : take five
fiver sl n : five pound note, *5*
flaked out adj : tired out
flannel n : face cloth, wash cloth
flat n : apartment
flatware n : knives and forks
flautist n : flutist
flex n : electric cord, twisted pair
flibbertigibbet n : flighty gossiping woman
flicknife n : switch blade, swish blade
flip, flipping sl v : euph for fuck, "flippin idiot", syn. darned
flob v : to spit
florin n : two shilling bit, *2/-*
fly-over n : overpass
football n : soccer
forehead /for*d/ n : /forhed/
form [school] n : grade, form 1 ~= grade 6, etc, form 5 (~= grade 10)
last legal class, form 6, lower and upper (~= grade 11 and 12) required
prior to university
fortnight [fourteen nights] n : two weeks
foyer n : lobby
Fred Karno's [popular comedian noted for troupe of whimsical oddities
and caricaturists] intj : mayhem, bedlam, "What in Fred Karno's going
on here?"
french bean n : green bean
french letter n : condom
french loaf sandwich n : hero sandwich
fried grated potato n : hash browns
fringe [hair] n : bangs
fripperies n : knickknacks, trivialities
fruit machine n : one-armed bandit
full stop punc : period, and also used as emhasis - "I'm not going,
full stop!"
funeral director n : undertaker
fun fair n : carnival
g
gaffer n : boss
gallery [theater] n : balcony
galoshes n : rubbers
gammy adj : bad, "gammy leg"
gangway n : aisle
garden n : yard
gazump [Yiddish gezumph - swindle] v : raise house price after verbal
agreement
GB n : Great Britain = England + Scotland + Wales (unofficially since
1603 when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England,
officially since 1707); colloquially GB refers to the UK (GB + N.
Ireland)
gear box n : transmission
gear stick n : gearshift, gear lever
gentlemen, gents n : mens room
Geordie n : person from Newcastle (Tyne and Wear)
get knotted! intj : jump in the lake!
get stuffed! intj : take a hike
getting off at Redfern [Aus, Redfern is the last stop before Sydney
Central] : coitus interuptus
geyser [gas] n : water heater
giggle n : lark, harmless prank
gilbo n : phlegm, syn. loughie
git n : stupid person, jerk
glandular fever n : mononucleosis
GmbH [German] abbr : Gesellschaft mit beschrnkler Haftung -
incorporated, limited liability copany
goal n : jail
gob n : mouth
gob v : spit
gobstopper n : hard candy, syn all day sucker, sourball
gold top : bottle of milk with a gold top indicating rich milk about
equivalent to 5% fat milk
golliwog n : like a picaninny doll
gone for a Burton : gone on an errand, trip, or journey of unexpectedly
long duration, syn. a Brodie
goods truck [railway] n : freight car
goolies n : nuts (balls)
goon sl n : stoopid or playful person
Gordon Bennett [founder of NY Herald, son sent Stanley to find
Livingstone] intj : uttered in surprise
gormless adj : dork, foolish, lacking sense
graft v : work real hard, syn. ass in gear
grease-proof paper n : wax paper
green gage [Sir William Gage (1777-1864), botanist, introduced plum
from France] n : green plum
green fingers n : green thumb
grizzle v, n : whine, whining person (usually of small children)
groat n : 4d, silver coin 1351-1662, fourpenny bit 1836-1856, small
sum, "don't care a groat"
grockle n : tourist, day tripper, holiday maker, esp by sotherners of
northerners
grotty, grot adj : unpleasant syn. scuzzy, crusty, gnarly
ground maize n : grits
ground floor n : first floor
grumble rsl [grumble and grunt] : cunt
grummet sl n : cunt
guard [railway] n : conductor
gubbins n : junk, *kit*, stuff
gubbins n : gadget syn. widget
gubbins n : foolish person, usually self referential
guinea n : gold coin last coined in 1813, but still used to refer to
21/- values
gun dog n : bird dog
gunge n : gunk, crud, indeterminate viscous yuck
h
haberdashery, etc n : notions
hackney carriage n : taxi cab
hair grip n : bobby pin
hair lacquer n : hair spray
hair slide n : barrette
half a dollar sl n : half a crown, *2/6d*, (12+p)
half inch crsl v : pinch, steal
halfpenny /haypnee/ /hayp*ns/ n : *+d*
handbag ([ladies]) n : purse
hang about imperative : wait a moment
Hants. abbr : Hampshire
ha'p'orth /hayp*th/ n : halfpenny's worth, but used in reference to any
trifling amount
hard case n : ttough guy
hard case [NZ Aus] n : eccentric, funny person
hard core n : the rubble used as back fill for roads, building
foundations, etc
hard lines col : hard luck
hardware n : housewares
haver v : dither, hem & haw, [Scot] blather
head waiter n : ma tre d.
Heath Robinson adj : Rube Golberg
herb /herb/ n : /erb/
high tea n : evening meal
hire purchase n : installment plan, finance
hire v : rent
hod n : bricklayer's open box on a pole for carrying bricks
Hogmanay n : Scottish New Year's Eve festivities
holiday n : vacation
Home Counties n : the counties closest to London
homely adj : simple, pleasant
hoover v : vacuum
hoover n : vacuum cleaner
house agent n : realtor
house train v : house break, potty train
housewife n : sewing kit, syn. ditty bag
hump v : carry
hundreds & thousands n : sprinkles, spreckles
i
ice, sorbet n : sherbet
iced lolly n : popsicle
icing sugar n : confectionery sugar
identification parade n : lineup
idiot n : syn. ding-a-ling, tard, retard, dork, nerd
immersion heater, electric n : water heater
interval [movies] n : intermission
inverted commas n : quotation marks
Irish moss n : ~Chondrus crispus~ carageen
ironmonger n : hardware store
ivory tower adj : ivy league
j
jab n : shot
Jaffa cakes n : LU(R) Pim's orange fancy cookies (yummy)
jail n : jug
jam n : jelly
jewel n : rock
jittery n : antsy
joanna crsl : piano /pyan*/
Jock sl n : Scotsman
John Bull n : Englishman
John Smith n : syn. John Doe
johnny n : condom, rubber, syn. *rubber johnny*
joinery n : woodwork
joint [food] n : roast
jollies n : kicks, good time, whatever gets you off
jostling throng n : crowd
jug n : pitcher
juggernaut n : truck, very large
jumble sale n : rummage sale
jumper n : sweater
junk n : garbage
k
ketchup n : catsup, ketchup
Khyber crsl [Khyber Pass] n : arse
kieselguhr n : diatomaceous earth
kiosk n : booth
kip v : sleep, nap
kipper n : smoked herring
kirby grip n : bobby pin
kit n : piece of equipment "that computer is a nice bit of kit"
knacks, knackers n : testicles, syn. nuts, *balls*
knees-up inf n : party, dance
knickers n : ladies underwear, undies
knickers in a twist adj : frustration over insurmountable trivialities,
"Don't get your knickers in a twist"
knock inf v : criticize
knock back inf v : gulp down (a drink)
knockers sl n : tits
knock up v : wake up call
knock up, knock around v : practice warm up prior to game proper
(tennis, etc)
l
L plate n : learner plate, large white sign with big red letter L
attached to rear (and front) of student driver's car
label v n : tag
ladder n : run in tights
ladies handbag n : purse
ladies n : ladies room
lady bird n : lady bug
Lady Godiva rsl : *fiver*, 5
larder n : pantry
lash-up n : thrown together
lavatory n : john, bathroom, restroom, porta potty, toilet
lay-by [road] n : pull-off
leader [in newspaper] n : editorial
leader n : concert master
learner, learner driver n : student driver
learner plates n : see *L plate*
leave off intj : give me a break
leave it out intj : be serious, you're kidding, get real
left luggage office n : baggage room
leg it v : walk
leg over v : have sex, screw, "get a bit of leg over"
let, `To Let' v : lease, rent, `To Rent'
letterpress n : text in a book excluding illustrations
level crossing [railway] n : grade crossing
lido n : outdoor pool or beach recreation area
life jacket n : life preserver
lift n : elevator
Lilo(R) n : air bed
limited company n : private corporation, see *ltd*
lip salve n : chapstick
liver sausage n : liverwurst
liverpudlian n : person from Liverpool
loaf crsl [loaf of bread] n : head, "use your loaf"
local n : your most frequented or local pub
lollypop n : sucker, also popsicle
lollypop man n : crossing guard
loo n : bathroom, syn. john, *bog*
lorry n : truck
lost property n : lost and found
lounge suit n : business suit
ltd [abbr] n : limited company, syn. *plc*, Inc., *pty ltd*, *p/l*,
*GmbH*, *S.A.*
lucern n : alfalfa
lughole n : ear, syn cranial fins
lugs [abbr] n : *lugholes*
lump o' lead crsl : head
lure v : come-on
lurgy /lergee/ [invented on ~The Goon Show~] n : fabled highly
contagious dreadful and termianl disease, "The dreaded lurgy", syn.
cooties
lynx n : bobcat
m
mac(k), mac(k)intosh n : raincoat
mad adj : crazy
Madeira cake n : pound cake
maize n : corn
man on the Clapham bus n : man in the street, syn. John Q. Public
mancunian n : person from Manchester
mangel-wurzel n : large coarse yellow-orange beet used for cattle
fodder.
manky adj : shakey, flakey, decrepit
manual [car] n : stick shift
marrow n : squash
marzipan n : sweet colored almond paste used as a cake frosting
mate n : buddy, pal
material n : fabric
maths n : math
mens n : mens room
metal n : road-metal, small rocks for surfacing dirt roads, hence
metalled road
methylated spirits n : denatured alcohol
metier n : shtick
mick offn n : irishman
The Midlands n : inland counties of central England
mince v : look, see *minces*
mince v : walk with affected delicacy, strut
mince meat n : hamburger meat
mincer n : meat grinder
minces crsl [mince pies] n : eyes
mingy adj : miserly, also meager
moggy n : *manky* cat
moo derog sl : woman, see *cow*
moolah, mulla /moolah/ sl n : money
month of sundays [Ir, figure about 31 weeks] n : long long time, syn.
*yonks*
motorway n : freeway
mudguard n : fender
mug n : scapegoat
mug up v : study up
mush [Romany] n : face
muslin n : cheese cloth
n
nacks n : see knackers
naff adj : crusty, narly
naff off intj : piss off
nail varnish n : nail polish
nappy n : diaper
narked adj : annoyed, syn. pissed
navvy n : worker, laborer
neat adj : straight, a neat whiskey is a whiskey straight
neat [Aus] adj : even, "three dollars neat, thanks"
neep [Scot & N] n : turnip, "neeps and tatties"
nelly, not on your [crsll Nelly Duff, puff, breath of life, life] intj :
not on your life, not likely
net curtains n : sheers, underdrapes
newsagent n : newspaper store, usually carries candy and tobacco also
nick v : steal
nightdress n : nightgown
nine bob note sl n : gay, "he's as queer as a nine bob note"
ninny n : wimp
nip off n : take off
Nissen-type hut n : quonset hut
nit n : fool, stupid person
nobble v : con, aquire underhandedly, tamper with
noddle col n : head
normal n : regular
North Country n : northern England, Northumberland
nosey parker n : busybody
nosh [food] n : food
nosh-up n : big meal or feast.
not done n : no-no
not cricket : not playing the game, no-no, not the thing to do
note n : bill
nought /nort/ n : zero
noughts & crosses n : tic-tac-toe
now't /nowt/ [North] n : beans, as in nothing
number plate n : license plate
nutcase n : crazy, nuts, stupid
o
O levels n : GCE (general certificate of education), ordinary level,
state exams taken in each subject at the end of fifth *form* (age
~16), see A levels
oaf n : clumsy idiot
och /okh/ [Sottish & Irish] intj : oh, ah
och aye /okh ie/ [Sottish & Irish] intj : oh yes, ah yes
off licence, offie n : liquor store
okra n : gumbo
The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street n : Bank of England
ordinary shares n : common stock
oven cloth n : pot holder
overtake [traffic] v : pass
owner-occupied flat n : condominium
oz (cf) n : ounce, see fifth, *pint*
p
p /pee/ n : symbol for new penny, about the size of 1, 100p = *1*.
`New' money has 1p /wun pee/, /nyoo penee/ or /penee/; 2p /too pee/
sometimes /tuhp*ns/: about the size of a large copper quarter; 5p:
exactly the same size shape and value as the old shilling, about the
size of a quarter; 10p: exactly the same size shape and value as the
old two shilling piece, about the size of a half dollar; 20p: a small
five sided brass coin about the size of a thin nickle; 50p: seven
sided coin about the size of a silver dollar; and finally the
*sov*=100p
p/l [Aus] n : *pty ltd*
pack
packed lunch n : sack lunch, brown bag lunch
paddy n : Irishman, syn. mick
palava n : commotion
pancake n : cr pe
Pancake Day n : Shrove Tuesday, day after Ash Wednesday
pantechnicon n : moving van
pants n : underwear, syn. shorts, briefs, boxer shorts
paraffin wax n : paraffin
paraffin n : kerosene
paralytic adj : blind drunk
parky adj : sharp, biting windy weather
patience n : solitaire
pavement n : sidewalk
pawky [Scot] adj : drily humorous, canny
pecker n : courage, spirit
peckish adj : a little hungry
pelmet n : valence hiding curtain rod
pelting down v : raining cats and dogs
penis n : syn. pecker, John Thomas, dick, schlong, meat, bone
personal call [phone] n : person to person
perspex n : plastic sheets, like plexiglass
perv mag [perverted magazine] n : porno mag
petrol(eum) n : gas(oline)
phlid /flid/ [contraction of thalidomide] offn n : *spaz*
pickaxe n : pick
pillar box n : mailbox, the GB pillar boxes are over 6' tall, made of
cast iron and painted bright post office red
pillock n : idiot
pinafore n : jumper
pint n : pint of beer; the imperial pint is 20 fl oz, which are a tad
larger than US fl oz (only 16 of which make an american pint), hence
is more than 20% larger than a US pint
pip sl n : irritation, "He gives me the pip"
piss off intj : scram, beat it
piss-up n : drinking party, syn. *booze up*, *slosh up*
pissed off adj : pissed
pissed adj : drunk
plaits /plats/ n : braids
plant n : construction equipment, machines and vehicles, "plant for
hire"
plaster board n : sheet rock
plates crsl [plates of meat] n : feet
play dead v : play possum
plc n : public limited company, syn. inc., ltd
plimmies n : *plimsoles*, syn. tennies
plimsols n : sneakers, syn. tennis shoes
plonk n : cheap table wine
plonk down v : drop down, as in plop down wearily into a chair, or
plonk down money - finaly succumb to payment
plus-fours n : knickers
pneumatic drill n : jackhammer
point, power point n : electrical outlet, socket
poke n : screw
polyfilla n : plaster [replaced by Artex(R)?]
pom, pommy [Aus, rsl pomegranate rsl Jimmy Grant rsl immigrant] n :
English person
Pompey n : Portsmouth (major port and navel base on the south coast)
ponce n : pimp
ponce n : gay or affected person
pond, also The Herring Pond n : Atlantic Ocean, "across the pond"
pong v : reek, stench
pontoon n : twenty one
pony [racing] sl n : 25
poofta n : gay
poppet n : term of endearment, syn. honey, sweetie
porridge n : oatmeal
post n : mail
postal code n : zip code
potter v : "he's pottering about in the tool shed"
potty adj : silly, crazy, slightly soft in the head
pram [perambulator] n : baby carriage
praps contr : perhaps, whatever
pratt derog n : *twit*
press studs n : snaps
primary school n : grade school
produce /prod(y)oos/ n : fruits and vegetables
promenade n : boardwalk
pseud n : flake, *trendy*
pty ltd [Aus] n : proprietary limited company, syn inc., *ltd*, *plc*
pub n : n : bar. Pubs in GB usually have two sections: the public
bar (bar stools, sawdust on floor, billiard tables, darts), and the
saloon bar (posher section, leather couches, tables). Not uncommon,
especially in less urban areas to have a beer garden. Hours are
usually 11am - 3pm, then 5pm - 12midnight. These are social places
rather than meat markets or refuges for the lonely and lost souls
public convenience n : comfort station, restrooms
public prosecutor n : district attorney
pudding n : dessert
puncture outfit [bicycles] n : patch kit
punnet n : small, 1/2 pint fruit basket
purse n : coin purse
pushchair n : stroller
put a sock in it v : shut up
put down, entered v : charged (goods bought)
put through [telephone] v : connect
pot(h)een /pucheen/ [Ir] n : strong illicitly made Irish liquor, from
potatoes, syn. moonshine, hooch
q
quay /kee/ n : wharf, pier, dock
queer n : fairy, fruit, gay
queue n : line
queue v : stand in line, line up
quid n : *1*, one pound sterling, same as buck for dollar
quis, ego /kwiz, egoh/ [L who? I!] : A person (usu school kids)
announces something for free with "quis!" and the first person to say
"ego!" gets it
quod sl n : jail
r
rabbit [rsl rabbit and pork - talk] v : talk incessantly
rag v : tease
rag & bone man n : junk man
rag-tag and bobtail n : riff-raff, the dense unwashed masses
rag week n : fund (hell) raising program by students including college
newspaper, stunts, parades and entertainment, syn. rush week
railway carriage n : railroad car
railway n : railroad
randy adj : horny
rave up n : wild party
RE abbr : religious education
real adv : really
{realize} v : syn. get a clue
rear ender derog sl n : gay guy
reception (hotel) n : front desk
Red Arrows n : exhibition RAF crack flying team, syn. Blue Angles
reel n : spool
return ticket n : round trip ticket
reverse charges v : call collect
reversing lights n : back-up lights
RI abbr : religious instruction
Ridings of Yorkshire n : Englands largest county comprises the East
Riding, West Riding and North Riding
ring up v : call, phone
rock n : large boulder
rocket v : spirited rebuke or telling off, syn. bawl out
rollocks intj : euphamism for *bollocks*
root for v : buck for
roundabout [road] n : traffic circle (imagine a four way stop where
you only had to give way to the person on your right)
RS abbr : religious studies
rubber n : eraser
rubber johnny n : condom
rubbish n : trash/garbage
rubbish bags n : trash bags/garbage bags
rucksack n : camping backpack
rum adj : odd, curious, queer
rum & black n : rum & black currant juice
runner beans n : green beans, scarlet runner
running smoothly adj : copesetic
s
S.A. [French] n : socit, syn. inc., *ltd*
sacked v : fired
safe col adj : syn. sweet, bitchin', neat, cool
sales talk n : hype
saloon car n : sedan car
salt beef n : corned beef
salted cracker n : saltine
sanitary towel n : sanitary napkin
Sassanach [Scottish and Pictish] derog n : Saxon folk south of the
Hadrian Wall
satchel n : child's school bag, often backpack
sausages, pork n : sausage links, links
sbd n : acronym: Silent But Deadly, a silent fart, also "that one had
slippers on"
scallion n : kind of onion or shallot with cloves like garlic but
milder or onion flavor
scarper v : run away, syn. high-tail out
scent n : perfume
scoff v : gobble down, syn. scarf
scones n : biscuits
scot n : scottish person
scot free adj : unharmed, unpunished, "He got off scot free"
scotch n : whiskey
scouse n : person from Liverpool
scouse git offn n : person from Liverpool
scrubber n : whore
scrump v : steal fruit from orchards
scrumple v : crush, fold
scrumpy n : rough cider
sea wall n : mud embankment circumscribing the entire coast of the
British Isle where necessary to prevent encroachment of the sea and
generally with a footpath along its top
season ticket n : commuter ticket
seceteaurs n : hand pruning shears
seduce v : make
see-saw n : teeter-totter
sellotape n : scotch tape
send-up v : ridicule by mimicry, also a parody or satire
sent to coventry v : ostracized
seppo [Aus] sl : American, syn. Yank
septic tank (hence *seppo*) [Aus] rsl n : American, syn. Yank
service flats n : apartment hotel
serviette n : napkin
settee n : love seat
{sex} v : syn. pop, screw
shag v : screw, fuck
sherbe(r)t n : flavored fizzy candy powder
shirty adj : huffy
shooting break n : station wagon, estate car
shop n : store
shop assistant n : sales clerk
shop walker n : floorwalker
shopping trolley n : shopping cart, caddy
shtum*, schtoom* [Yiddish, common in E London] *shtumf* intj : be quiet!
sideboards [hair] n : sideburns
silencer [car] n : muffler
silver top : bottle of milk with a silver top indicating regular milk
about equivalent to Vitamin D milk
single ticket n : one way ticket
singlet n : undershirt
sink n : kitchen sink
The Six Counties : of Northern Ireland
skint [pp of skinned] adj : flat broke
skip n : dumpster
skipping rope n : jump rope
skirting board n : baseboard
skive, skiver v : shirk, shirker
slag n : whore
slag sl v : criticize
slash v : urinate, syn. take a leak
sleeper [rail] : tie
sleeping policman n : speed bump, *speed retarder*
slobber v : drool
slog v : work real hard
sloshed adj : drunk (hence slosh-up : *booze-up*)
smalls [washing] n : underwear
smart alec n : smart ass
smoke col n : London, especially apt prior to 1963 when coal fires
were banned and the smog was sometimes as thick as pea soup
smog [contr] : smoke + fog
smoo(d)ge [Aus NZ] v : behave in fawning or ingratiating manner
snags [Aus] inf n : sausages, syn. links, *bangers*
snog v : neck
snuff it v : to die
sod [sodomist] n : clod, irritating fool, oaf
sod intj : "sod!", "sod it!", "sod off!"
soign /swan(g)ay/ [French] adj : chic
solder /sold*/ v : /sahd*/
solicitor n : lawyer, attorney
soppy adj : syn. sappy, wimpy
sout pp : sat, sitting, from northern slang dialect
sov col abbr : sovereign
sovereign n : gold coin worth 1, now used to refer, with a hint of
irony, to the new brass pound coin about the size of a squat fat
quarter, there are five kinds differing by the inscription on the side
and the design representing the four contries comprising the UK and
the UK as a whole; pound notes were done away with in 1986
spanner n : wrench
spaz offn n : spastic, person acting in a spastic manner, uncordinated
person.
speed retarder n : speed bump
spiffing adj : excellent
spigot n : winding part of a faucet
spinnaker [yacht] n : chute
spinney n : copse
spirits n : liquor
spiv sl n : swanky but dubious freelance salesperson
splendid adj : way cool
splodge v : splotch (connotation is with porridge or paint rather than
ink or milk)
spot on adj : on the nail
spring onion n : green onion, scallions
sprog (hence sproggie, etc) [Scot] sl n : baby, small child
spuds n : potatoes
squash n : zucchini
staff [academic] n : faculty
stalls [theatre] n : orchestra seats
stand [public office] v : run
standard lamp n : floor lamp
state governor n : gubernatorial
state school n : public school
stick v : abide, "I can't stick him"
sticking plaster n : adhesive tape
sticks n : boondocks
sterling n : British currency, syn pound, see
stockings n : nylons
stodge n : thick, heavy food
stone n : 14 lbs
stone n : rock
stone [fruit] n : pit
store n : department store
stout n : dark, sweet beer
stream n : creek
strine [Aus] contr adj : Australian, "in strine, we say..."
stroppy adj : belligerent, bad tempered, awkward to deal with
stuff v : have sex, syn. screw
stump v : baffle
stupid adj : dumb
sub-editor n : copy-reader
suit cases n : bags
suitcase n : grip
sultana n : large yellow kind of raisin
sump [car] n : oil pan
surgery n : doctor office
surgical spirit n : rubbing alcohol
surname n : last name
suspender belt n : garter belt
suspenders n : garters
suss, suss out sl v : figure out
swarfega(R), hence swarf n : mechanics' grease-cutting handcleaning gel
swede n : turnip, rutabaga
The Sweeny crsl [Sweeny Todd] n : The Flying Squad
sweet shop n : candy store, syn. tuck shop
sweet biscuit n : cookie
sweet, sweetie, sweets n : candy
swipe v : pilfer
Swiss roll n : jelly roll
switch back n : roller coaster
swop alt sp v : swap
swot n : to cram (for exams)
t
ta /tar/ intj : thankyou
ta-ta /ta tah/ intj : goodbye, syn. bye, later
table v : shelve a meeting item
Taffie sl n : person from Wales
tail back n : traffic jam
take away [food] v : to go
tanner sl n : sixpenny bit, sixpence, "spare us a tanner, mate"
tap n : faucet
tap handle n : spigot
tarmac n : asphalt
tart n : whore
tat n : junk, kitsch
taters crsl [taters (potatoes) in the mold] adj : (very) cold, "brrrr!,
ta"ers, en'it?"
tato(e), tatties sl n : potatoes
tea boy n : gofer (go for)
teat [baby's bottle] n : nipple
telly n : t.v.
tenements n : block of *flats*
tenner sl n : ten pound note
think tank n : brain storm
tiddly adj : a little drunk
tiffin n : light lunch
tights n : panty hose
tin n : can
tinker n : gypsy
tip n v : dump, "council tip"
tipsy adj : a little drunk
tip your lid v : kowtow
titfer crsl [tit fer tat] n : hat
toady n : apple polisher, brown nose
toast and dripping n : popular snack, see *dripping*
toby, toby jug n : large mug in form of squat 18c gentleman wearing a
tricorne
tod, on your n : on your own, "He did it all on his tod"
toffed (up) adj : spruced (up)
togs inf n : clothes
{toilet} n : syn. head, john, bathroom, porta potty, porta pot
ton n : 100 mph
tonning it v : going about as fast as you can (see *ton*), syn. pedal to
the metal, floor it
topper n : top hat
torch n : flashlight
toward v : towards
traff sl v : fart
tramp n : bum, transient
trash mag n : comic book or any worthless magazine
treacle n : molasses
trendy adj : very fashionable, chic
trendy n : person who thinks they're chic, syn. *pseud*
trilby hat n : fedora
trousers n : pants
truant v : hooky
truncheon n : nightstick, billyclub
trunk call v : long distance
tube n : subway, hence tube ride, tube train, tube ticket...
tube n : TV
tuck n : food
tuck shop n : candy store, usu for kids
tumble v : realize
turn-ups n : cuffs
turps n : turpentine
twat, twot sl n : contemptuous person
twee adj : trite
twelve noon in China : your flies are undone
twenty-five cents n : quarter
twig v : realize, syn. click, the penny drops
twit n : idiot
twopence /tuhp*ns/ n : 2d, two pennies, half groat
tyre n : tire
u
UK n : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK =
*GB* + Ireland since 1801, but GB + Northern Ireland since 1927)
underground n : subway, hence underground train, underground journey,
underground ticket...
undertaker n : mortician
union Jack n : British flag
unit trust n : mutual trust
unpaved road n : dirt road
upper circle n : first balcony
urinal n : the head/pisser
v
{vagina} n : syn. clam, bearded clam, crack, pussy, snatch, beaver, "A
planked, split, wet beaver"-John Irving, twat, twelge, muff
valve [radio] n : tube
varnish remover n : nail polish remover
verge n : curb
vest n : undershirt
vile adj : scuzzy
{vomit} v : syn. chuck up, toss cookies, honk, barf, up chuck, ralph
w
waist coat n : vest
wallet n : billfold, mens wallet
wally n : conspicuous fool
wango dingo inf adj : crazy, syn. nuts
wank v : masturbate
wanker n : jerk
wardrobe n : armoir, closet
wash up v : do the dishes
wasp n : yellow jacket
waste paper bin n : trash can
WC n : bathroom
wee v : urinate, "mummy, I need to go wee!" (small boy, legs tightly
crossed, bright red face)
Wee's lettuce n : iceberg lettuce
a week monday n : next monday plus a week
wellies col n : wellington boots
wellington boots n : rubber boots, gum boots
Welsh dresser n : hutch
welsh rabbit (rarebit) n : cheese on toast
West End n : entertainment and shopping (ponsey) area of London west
of the City
West Country n : the south-western counties of England
wet adj : ineffectual
wet paint n : fresh paint
what's up n : what's the problem
wheel barrow n : push cart
whinge v : bitch
whip v : steal
white spirit n : turps substitute
willy n : penis
Willy Wagga Dagger n : William Shakespear
Wimpey n : English caf, like Denny's, syn. diner, greasy spoon,
(Back formation: We Import (Imploy) More Paddy's Each Year)
windcheater n : windbreaker
windscreen n : windshield
wing n : fender
without charge n : complimentary
wog offn n : black and sometimes asian person, syn. nigger, coon
wonky adj : unstable, unreliable
wotcha low intj : hello, syn. hi, howdy
x
y
Yank sl n : American
yeti [Sherpa] n : Himalayan bigfoot
yobbo, yob [backslang boyo [Ir], boy] n : hooligan
yokle n : country bumbkin, clodhopper
yonks n : long long time, syn. *donkey's years*
z
z /zed/ n : pronounced /zee/ in US
zebra crossing /zeebr*/ n : ped xing
*References:*
~British Self Taught: with Comments in American~, Norman W. Schur,
Macmillan Company 1973
This is excellent, but mostly for Americans
learning English.
~British/American Language Dictionary~, Norman Moss, Passport Books
(1973) 1984
This is a proper dictionary in that it goes
both ways, but could be more explanatory and thorough.
~The Joy of Lex~
A humorous read about the absurdities of the English language,
with a chapter on British English for its American audience.
~Welcome to Britain~, Whitehall Press 1971.
~A common Language, British & American English~, BBC & Voice of America
1964.
~British & American English Since 1900~, John W. Clark, Eric Partridge,
Greenwood Press, NY 1951, 1968
~British and American English~, Peter Streven, Collier-Macmillan 1972
~A Personal Kiwi-Yankee Slanguage Dictionary~, Louis S. Leland Jr.,
John M^CIndoe Ltd, 51 Crawford Street, Dunedin, New Zealand 1980, 1987
This explains NZ words to Americans (one way), and the rest of
us. Designed to amuse and enlighten. It does the latter, and the
difference between the two languages does the former anyway. This book
is thorough and includes many explanatory details. Since a lot of NZ
jargon comes from GB it compliments the above, though it must be noted
that it is mostly their own (and the Maoris').
~The New Hacker's Dictionary~, Eric S. Raymond, The MIT Press 1991,
ISBN 0-262-68069-6
The definitive dictionary of the hacker culture jargon. Because
of the particular peculiarity of the subject, namely computers,
communications and (until the 1990's) self-contained, the compiled list
of jargon terms has been subjected to realtime feedback and updating by
the many thousands of computer folks. It has become a self-sustaining,
real-time record of its own evolution which, again, by its nature
(namely, new, unique, and very rapid), is also a glimpse of the process
of language itself evolving.
~Understanding British English~, Margaret Moore, Citadel Press 1989
A book of British English for Americans.
~The Story of English~, Robert M^CCrum, William Cran, Robert M^CNeil,
Viking Press 1986, ISBN 0-670-80467-3
If you ever wondered where our language came from this well
illustrated and thorough book is most enlightening.
Jeremy Smith, reputed to be someone else of the same name, was
born at an early age supposedly on his birthday.
Jeremy Smith was born in London, and lived there and in the home
counties for 24 years. He has spent the latter third of his life in
the USA: 6 years in Southern California, 2 years in the San Francisco
Bay Area, and 6 years in Oregon. He has an American x-wife, 6 English
nephews and nieces, 7 American nephews and nieces, and a daughter who
is half and half /hahf n haf/.
~~cn` cgn~"n~g` - Homer, ~Illiad~
--
Jeremy |-) Smith The Tao of Wayne and Garth: "Way!"