katyjay 5,090 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 The other day, having coffee with some friends, I said, 'so, I went and got a Biro'......My friends went, whoa back up a minute, what's a Biro? So I explained, made a sideways fist and clicked my thumb up and down, then they got it. I must admit I haven't used that word in decades, it just popped out my mouth. Any other ex-pats come out with old words and flummox those around them? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 when I was working in San Diego...i got weird looks when i nipped out for fag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Good job you weren't in LA or San Francisco, they'd have all come outside with you . 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 I've just found this one "prelate" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StephenFord 866 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Ah yes, well, as of the Church of Englands announcement today, you can have women prelates (would these be prelatesses?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 They would be a prelatrix. katyjay. When in America once I mentioned the timescale 'fortnight'. What's a fortnight was the response. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StephenFord 866 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Well, one at a time would be a prelatrix. I guess a gaggle of them would be prelatrices! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 The other day, having coffee with some friends, I said, 'so, I went and got a Biro'......My friends went, whoa back up a minute, what's a Biro? So I explained, made a sideways fist and clicked my thumb up and down, then they got it. I must admit I haven't used that word in decades, it just popped out my mouth. Any other ex-pats come out with old words and flummox those around them? It is said that we and the Americans are two nations separated by a common language. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fernilee567 33 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 we often refer to our cooker as the 'stove' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 I wouldn't call "Nottinghamese" a common language.....LOL England and America share another trait, regional accents, them on the right coast sound different than those of the left coast, and "dahn 'ere" where I live they sound a lot different to northeners. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Same over here fernilee, it's a stove. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limey 242 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Back in the early 70's there was a long running discussion in the letters of Motor magazine as to what the correct measurement of speed should be - my favorite: "Furlongs per fortnight". I regularly use it here - confuses the locals summat 'orrible it does! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Suckers any one? and as for rubbers........... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S 2,003 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Those rubbers were also called 'Johnnies'..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 You might get a shock one day and say that to a retired surveyor Eric, he might come up with a chain a second.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 I think that's how a cricket pitch was set up, isn't 22 yds a chain???? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,427 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Power point. They think that is some kind of computer presentation over 'ere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limey 242 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Yeah, but most folk know seconds! Chains/fortnight might be good though! However, you do have to be careful with Americans - they still understand measurements like bushel and peck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BulwellBrian 107 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 The other day, having coffee with some friends, I said, 'so, I went and got a Biro'......My friends went, whoa back up a minute, what's a Biro? So I explained, made a sideways fist and clicked my thumb up and down, then they got it. I must admit I haven't used that word in decades, it just popped out my mouth. Any other ex-pats come out with old words and flummox those around them? Laszio Biro born in Hungary invented the ball-point pen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Here's another one from the distant past CATCHPOLE a bailiff/tax collector. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,454 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 My grandma, when she was still around, always referred to the pavement as the causeway. Never heard it used by anyone else since. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 5,090 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 I guess that's where 'corsy' comes from. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 corsey't does 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 Laszio Biro born in Hungary invented the ball-point pen. Did Sir Walter Raieigh invite the bike? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 #24. Don't be silly, he invented tobacco. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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