Author Topic: English-to-English translation (Read 32784 times)

rivka · « **on:** March 14, 2010, 04:25:48 PM »

I've been watching As Time Goes By on Netflix (I've seen many episodes on PBS, but not all, and not in order, so I'm trying to go through them more methodically). It's great fun, but every few minutes there will be some uniquely British phrase that I have to decode. Google is some help, but some of these are just too much even for it to help with.

So what does "your bottle's gone" mean?

"Shift on up" is clearly "move over".

Now, what was that other one? I'll be back when I remember.

rivka · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2010, 05:14:25 PM »

Ah, yes, to "go for a swift half", which I was able to find.

rivka · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2010, 07:08:35 PM »

"Rang up" for "called" I already knew, but "belled" was a new one to me. Ditto "ringed" for "circled".

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2010, 07:21:58 PM »

One of the elders I worked with on my mission was Australian and his companion was American, and he kept a notebook every time he used a phrase his companion didn't understand. Then he'd check definitions with all of us.

"So what do you call a witch's hat?"

"A hat that a witch wears?"

"No, you know - on the road. A witch's hat. It's, like, the cone, you know, for traffic?"

"Um... a traffic cone?"

"You American Gumbies are so unimaginative."

Porter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2010, 08:37:15 PM »

Quote

"You American Gumbies are so unimaginative."

*nod* That's why we can't get anybody in the rest of the world to pay money for our storytelling.

rivka · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2010, 09:55:06 PM »

Marquee = large outdoor tent

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:06:04 PM »

Quote

Quote
"You American Gumbies are so unimaginative."
*nod* That's why we can't get anybody in the rest of the world to pay money for our storytelling.

No being pissy and defensive at jokes.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:13:03 PM »

Gumbies?

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:16:14 PM »

Exactly! I was like, "What's a Gumby?"

And he answered, "You know, like the big green guy. Just when somebody's being a dumb Gumby. Like Steve Irwin."

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:24:13 PM »

I never thought of Gumby being a big green guy. I always thought of him as a little green guy.

This is a big green guy:

rivka · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2010, 12:33:18 AM »

ratty = irritable

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2010, 02:12:29 AM »

I know that British and American English have the same names for different articles of clothings. It's like when they crossed the ocean, the pieces of clothing wandered about the body a bit.

rivka · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2010, 06:59:49 AM »

Must be making a move = must be leaving

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2010, 08:14:36 AM »

My mother found out, when she was vacationing in England, that it is shockingly rude to announce after a particularly satisfying meal, "I'm absolutely stuffed!" And that calling her waist pouch a "fanny pack" will earn snickers.

sweet clementine · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2010, 02:17:26 PM »

don't ever refer to your jeans as "pants", just call them jeans or trousers.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2010, 08:48:12 PM »

Like I said, the clothing did drift about the body somewhat when it crossed the ocean.

rivka · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2010, 09:24:50 AM »

fairy cakes = cupcakes

rivka · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2010, 09:15:00 AM »

rationalize a cupboard = organize a closet

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2010, 09:42:23 AM »

Ha! I think my cupboards definitely need rationalizing.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2010, 12:14:44 PM »

My cupboards are alittle irrational. Also they are surprisingly inert.

edit: I know "alittle" is not technically a word. But can we all agree to make it one?

rivka · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2010, 12:21:42 PM »

>.<

No.

BlackBlade · « **Reply #21 on:** March 17, 2010, 12:23:23 PM »

Quote

>.<

No.

Pretty please?

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2010, 12:43:30 PM »

I say yes, but only because it's alittle bit fun to watch Rivka get in a Schoolmarm Snit.

rivka · « **Reply #23 on:** March 17, 2010, 12:48:44 PM »

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #24 on:** March 17, 2010, 12:56:54 PM »

See? Fun!