Translation from the British, Please

[susandennis]

Last night was another As Time Goes By evening. I am working my way through the DVD's and really really enjoying them. Lately I notice that I am far more entertained by British comedies than by anything we offer. It is rare that an episode of Coupling or Manchild or As Time Goes By doesn't cause me to laugh out loud. Geoffrey Palmer trying to row Judi Dench around a lake in a boat was pants-wetting funny. Really. The set up, the looks on their faces, it was a very funny bit.

Anyway, they were discussing the lyics to a song that told of getting face powder on a man's vest when she put snuggled into his chest. I did gather that a vest in America is different than a vest in England. And I gathered that a vest in England is called a waistcoat and the word vest means something entirely different.

But, what??? No clue. melodysk, you there? Can you translate for me, please?

Comments

[theryn.livejournal.com]

A British vest is what we call an undershirt.

[susandennis]

Ok! That totally makes sense - I mean it makes the dialogue surrounding the words make sense.

We pick the funniest words to differ on. Thanks!

[emjaybaxter.livejournal.com]

I agree, I am always amused by British sit-coms and used to watch As Time Goes By regularly. But I think I've seen them all now. There are a number of BBC shows I like, Hamish Macbeth, The Vicar Of Dibly, Waiting For God, Faulty Towers, and of course Are You Being Served and Putting On Appearances.
Someone else beat me to the answer about the vest, but here's another tidbit of info for you. Chips in England are what we call French Fries, except when we're ordering Fish & Chips, and Crisps are what we call chips.

[susandennis]

The Vicar of Dibley is another one that I have to wear depends for. The problem is, you can watch one of these and it will be mildly amusing. And then, out of the blue, there is some bit of something that is just hilarious. You never know when it is coming.

[emjaybaxter.livejournal.com]

I always crack up at the end. That little bit after the credits between Dawn French and the blonde(can't remember her name).

[susandennis]

no, no, no, no... YES!

[emjaybaxter.livejournal.com]

Ha ha I'd forgetten about him, and the younger guy, relativley speaking, that swears all the time.

if you look it up ...

[henare.livejournal.com]

and you can go here (http://www.m-w.com/) to do that ... you'll see

3 a chiefly British : a man's sleeveless undershirt

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

Aw and here I am ...getting here late :) A Vest in the UK is what your mother MAKES you wear when you are small because it keeps your chest warm ....a vest is also what you STOP wearing either the moment you leave school or earlier if you are brave :)

Basically an undershirt , yes

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

I second that. Now let's discuss WEARING BRACES - another one meaning something quite different in the UK.

Wait, Wait! I know that one...

[susandennis]

But, I can't remember... ARUGH!

Re: Wait, Wait! I know that one...

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

OK - and here's a clue. I'm going to keep you in suspense!

Re: Wait, Wait! I know that one...

[susandennis]

YES!!!! Suspenders!!! That one is so off the wall... what were those Brits thinking??!!! And you are so cute to give me a clue instead of the answer. Now Kenny, who sits next to me, what's to know what the 'gottit gottit gottit' that I'm delightfully shreaking means.

SUSPENDERS???

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

Good grief you two ..Suspenders (or sussies as they are affectionately known) are fold holding up nylons (stockings ...erm ..hosiery? ..remember ? The ones that ended at the top of your leg rather than the panty hose of today) Suspenders are what makes young men have the collywobbles :))

Braces on the other hand ..they hold up your trousers/pants/trews (only old men and very trendy young men tend to wear them though)

Re: SUSPENDERS???

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

That should read FOR holding up stockings :)

Re: SUSPENDERS???

[susandennis]

Er, ah, no... garters hold up stockings. Silly.

But now I'm all hosed over collywobbles - wtf?? Is this something these guys need to be vacinated against? Or can they just practice safe suspendering?

Re: SUSPENDERS???

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

LOL Collywobbles: its that feeling you get when you are scared. As to garter ..a garter to us is a lacey elasticated band that fits around the top of a ladies leg ..rarely worn nowadays excepy by brides ;)

Suspenders are attached toa suspender belt and fit around the waist :)

[hlee.livejournal.com]

Let us not forget that traditional English dessert favorite, Spotted Dick.

You've got me here...

[susandennis]

Please please please tell me this isn't some kind of corn dog.

Re: You've got me here...

[hlee.livejournal.com]

It's mentioned in one of the Harry Potter novels. Here's (http://www.compulink.co.uk/~ossystems/rfmbs/spotted_dick.html) a recipe that will serve "...four normal people, two greedy ones or one pig."

Re: You've got me here...

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

Weelll ..spotted dick is a suet pudding and we are big on puddings that *stick to your ribs* ..treacle suet pudding with golden syrup for xample. Last night I made steak and kidney pudding ..also made with suet (a type of shortening) and then steamed for a 2 hours :)