17 Things We Only Started Saying After Living in the UK

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After 2 years of visiting the UK, making videos about British culture, and consuming dangerous amounts of Jimmy Carr and Peep Show, here are 17 MORE British words and phrases we started saying after living in the UK!
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What British phrase have you started saying as a result of living in the UK? Share your favourite British slang and Britishisms with us in the comments!
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[@WanderingRavens]

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[@withnail1967]

How's your father is a bit 1930s music hall

[@withnail1967]

Conservatory = naff?

[@jamesleate]

"Naffness" is the correct way.

[@DPYROAXIS]

DO NOT CALL PEOPLE CURTAIN TWITCHERS! That is slang for umm... women who put their hands between their legs and have some fun. I am sure you know what I am talking about and imagine how much I laughed at the self confession of Grace curtain twitching on KZbin. Grace I would love to see your face when you find out what a curtain twitcher is.

[@jamesleate]

@@DPYROAXIS That is obviously just a contextual thing as "curtain twitcher" has meant nosey neighbours for decades.

[@jacketrussell]

Never heard "Cake or death" in my 66 years.

[@keithparker5103]

Jack Russel. Me neither and I am 80

[@janiceturton7756]

Me neither

[@mikesaunders4775]

Nor me ever.

[@myrtlemount]

Neither had I until today. I think it is purely an Eddie Izzard routine.

[@adamkaige]

Same, in 41 years!

[@danowen79]

I don’t think “cake or death” is a thing here. Just an Eddie Izzard routine.

[@connorward2400]

Well no more than other famous comedy scenes like Four Candles or All the right notes not necessarily in the right order. However some have become saying in there own right like Trigger's Broom

[@bernardthedisappointedowl6938]

To be fair, both cake and death is a thing here - particularly cake, ^oo^

[@maximushaughton2404]

I have heard it used and used it a few times, but it was by some people that were fans of Eddie's. So yes it's used, but it's not common.

[@danowen79]

@@maximushaughton2404 I assumed the video was about common British phrases that have been picked up through living in the U.K., not specific quotes from a comedy routine - that’s all. You can watch Eddie Izzard on TV anywhere and “pick that up”, so it doesn’t qualify IMO.

[@WanderingRavens]

😂😂

[@HALman1973]

Binman is spot on. Not to be confused with 'Binner' - someone you may pickup in the pub for a bit of a snog by the bins out the back.

[@WanderingRavens]

Good to know 😂

[@danielbyrne5402]

Lol, binner, takes me back to my youth

[@grahvis]

My daughter described her dog as a cheeky monkey in a Facebook post. Facebook asked if she wanted to reconsider as it could be thought of as racist and might offend someone. She told them no.

[@lisag954]

Racist? Seriously 😂 Monkeys are cheeky! Especially when they tug at your wipers in Woburn Safari Park! A cheeky monkey is just that...a monkey that is cheeky! So someone can be like a cheeky monkey. That’s what I’ve always believed it to be. Nothing else. 😊😊😊

[@Andy_U]

Hiya. People usually get 'The Munchies' after smoking Pot (or whatever you call it this year), so stick to saying 'Peckish'. Stay safe. All the best to you.

[@PedroConejo1939]

And don't forget 'famished' for on the verge of collapse through hunger.

[@SombreRaven]

I was thinking this too. If you have the munchies here it's almost always die to the above. We do occasionally use it in the american way, but that's more to do with american language leaking into british culture. You got peckish bang on. And as the other guy said, famished is a thing haha

[@Lookatmeshine]

Nah. I say munchies just to mean continual hunger. In some parts of the UK munch also just means food or to eat. It's definitely a regional differences thing.

[@jrc58526]

I've only really heard 'having the munchies' in the UK used to refer as that particular type of hunger you get when you're stoned or pissed.

[@macfloof8679]

I’m from Derby in the East Midlands where we say “Aye up me Duck” It is perfectly ok for you to say “me” and not “my” lol 😆

[@PedroConejo1939]

I grew up in Chello but lived in Normo for yonks, and all over, right up to Eastwood. I still say Ey up mi duck to people down here in Dorset.

[@macfloof8679]

@@PedroConejo1939 I’m a Chadd lass, don’t hear it so much nowadays but did when I was a kid

[@sniffrat3646]

Leicester lad here. I've only ever heard MY duck in Nottingham. But I think she was just a very posh Nottinghamite.

[@Derby69]

I was born Derby but grew up in Nottingham but I say hello ducky or duck never mi duck that's more Mansfield area

[@evantighe696]

Stoke-on-Trent here. We just say “ay up duck”, and omit me/my entirely.

[@gavintillman1884]

Heard most of these but this Brit has never heard “cake or death”!

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

I'd go "naff-ness", rather than "naffy-ness", because of the homphone with NAAFI (Navy, Army & Air Force Institute), though with the condition of HM Forces these days, that reference is probably falling out of general awareness.

[@Nimmo1492]

NAAFI pulled out of UK bases years ago, because Sodexho got a lucrative contract (must have had friends in government). They still operate in overseas bases, as far as I know.

[@davidjones332]

@@Nimmo1492 Well, NAAFI was always supposed to stand for "No Aims, Ambition or Fxxxing Interest.....

[@thisisnev]

It's very simple. You use the phrase "how's your father" to mean "slap and tickle".

[@doglifehub]

Or, 'rumpy-pumpy' 🤣

[@dave_h_8742]

@@zekbaker4727 That was a bear

[@stephenlee5929]

@@dave_h_8742 Named after the act.

[@WanderingRavens]

Another British gem 😂😂

[@MarrsAttax]

Roll in the hay

[@isiteckaslike]

We'd say "naffness" rather than "naffyness". So, in your example "The place possessed general naffness".

[@katiebigglestone446]

I think there's a British phrase '' give them a bell' which means ''I'll give you a ring or call'

[@alanprior7650]

Another one is "on the blower".

[@jerribee1]

If you're REALLY hungry, there's an expression, "I could eat a scabby horse," and if you're dying for a cuppa, you can say, " I could murder a cup of tea."

[@helenrobinson8894]

Yes!

[@WanderingRavens]

Thank you for sharing! I love both of those 😂

[@Canalcoholic]

As a Black Country man, I would say a jed oss (dead horse) between two mattresses.

[@leohickey4953]

Yes, or where I'm from (Liverpool): "I could eat a scabby horse between two bread vans".

[@abbyhuntley3171]

@@WanderingRavens do you say “gasping” for a cuppa?

[@garyvaughan5595]

We sometimes use ‘swinging the lead’ it means to waste time but whilst looking to be busy. It comes from the construction industry when builders used a plumb line or plumb Bob to check something is upright or ‘plumb’. It took time for the lead weight to stop and hang still. By swinging the lead it extended the time needed.

[@johnbellamy3406]

OK, two British words my wife used and gets teased by her family in California are 'Shop' and 'Hoe'. They giggle when she says "I've been the the shop" and they roar with laughter when she tells them "I've been hoeing in the garden all afternoon".

[@edf6607]

"ay up me duck" i first heard when i moved to Nottingham. There's all sorts of regional variations.

[@texbankuk]

Indeed There's Duck, Hen, Love (Luv) North west and Ireland. Luvvy (Southern England) Then there's Me Dear Found mostly in the West Country (Devon ,Cornwall and Somerset ) South Wales/Borders area The Ladies are Dear (Know that from My Brother in-law) Saying Aye or Ay Up in a Yorkshire Lancashire Derbyshire Brogue is very distinctive BTW 😁

[@edwardoliver2086]

Its definitely a notts thing, especially north notts

[@gavinhawkridge2255]

Ey up comes from old Norse. Mi duck comes from Old English , which means my duke. It's a friendly greeting across the East Midlands, which nowadays just means hello my friend. As I live in Nottingham, I hear it everyday

[@gail9299]

Or don't bother with "me duck" - just "ay up duck" you'd get away with that Eric!

[@amys7539]

It's a Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire thing, I grew up in Derby and constantly heard it!

[@artspooner]

‘Y’alright’ is the British equivalent of ‘What’s up?’ Where ‘what’s up’ here in the U.K. is generally a question of concern (unless you’re really out of date and trying to recreate the Bud advert) but in the US, I believe it is just a greeting.

[@jamespasifull3424]

Did you say 'Jaffa Cake donuts'? They're now available in every Lidl bakery!! 😲😲😲

[@carolroberts4614]

I have just had some cherry jaffa cakes.....not sure about them!

[@safctilidie]

Cheeky is more commonly used for inanimate things, often food (Cheeky Nando's) or fancy a cheeky pint? It basically means a bit naughty although it gets used more and more so as to lose its effect a little!

[@sephirothvii7773]

I actually answered out loud and had to comment. “Binmen is correct, we do call them that” nice one 😊 I have afew American friends online on playstation and they often give me quite a long answer when i say “you alright”. Now i know why 😂😂 Keep it up guys, love your videos. Uk, Surrey

[@KeplersDream]

Mate of mine used to work with a bloke who had a job as some sort of guide at a Wild West attraction in Bristol. Apparently he would greet the visitors in a mashup Texan/Bristol accent with "Well howdy, me ducks!"

[@alanalderson1427]

During the lockdown, the highlight of the week was the binmen coming.

[@Phiyedough]

Is it a wheelie bin or a pwetend bin?

[@janiceturton7756]

the bloody bins went out more than me

[@withnail1967]

When I was a student in Newcastle-upon-Tyne we had a local 24-hour store that we called the Pet Shop, because the women who worked there called you pet so often which is the Newcastle equivalent of me duck..

[@stevearmstrong9213]

Was there another shop called the hinny shop, then?

[@WanderingRavens]

😂😂

[@withnail1967]

@@stevearmstrong9213 Hadaway Hadaway and Shite -solicitors....

[@petemallam2009]

@@withnail1967 lol... Is it worth saying "Haddaway an Shite" roughly translates to "Piss off!"

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Wayeyemanpet

[@kieronimo1]

We rarely actually say 'Are you alright?' to mean 'hello'. We just say 'Alright' or 'Alright, mate'...... or even 'Right mate?'. 'Are you alright?' means the same in the UK (depending on the context).

[@wencireone]

The munchies normal comes with a drug connotations

[@vilebrequin6923]

Loo is a version of "lo!" which derived from "look out below!" A common cry in 18thC Britain as chamber pots were emptied into the street from upper storey windows.

[@MattJMcDade]

Almost no Brits know this but the word "naff" is exceptionally rude. It comes from Polari, which was an underground gay language in London when it was illegal to be gay. Used a lot in the East End during the early 20th century, it literally means, if you were a gay man eyeing up a potential lay, "not available for f***ing"! My dad used it a lot and I never had the heart to tell him what it meant!

[@MrVisualHigh]

To be fair that's only one of multiple theories of the origin of the word, no one really knows.

[@inflightmode357]

As far as I'm aware, "How's your Father" derives from a play, in which a daughter, whose father is I'll, is visited by her boyfriend. He then proceeds to make advances by putting his arm around her and moving closer. He then spots the mother from the corner of his eye and, thinking quickly, asks, "So, how's your father?" Thus a euphemism was born. Quick question: are euphemism, or against them?

[@57bananaman]

"Naff" was popularised via the UK '70s Sit-Com "Porridge" (which was set in a prison) where it was used as a substitute for another four-letter word ( one that rhymes with "Duck" and starts with a letter in the alphabet that appears between "E" and "G"). The characters in "Porridge" could regularly tell each other to "naff off" without bringing the show to the attention of the TV censorship brigade. It didn't take long before the phrase became regularly used throughout The UK and the word "naff" itself took on its current meaning of useless or unappealing.

[@timmyhowarth1889]

Naff is also another way of saying something is rubbish, bad or ridiculous

[@WanderingRavens]

Thank you for sharing the history with us!!

[@matthewwalker5430]

What word is that? .... oooooh, you mean "Firetruck"! ... wait, no, that's 10 letters?!?! ........6 letter word that rhymes with "Rugger" and starts with a letter between "A" and "C"

[@ricmac954]

Also used in Polari -- as demonstrated on the radio in the 1950s/1960s by Julian and Sandy in Round the Horne -- to mean inferior/in poor taste.

[@martinmaynard141]

@@ricmac954 Have just recommended Julian and Sandy. Bona!

[@charlotte4959]

Love you two, as a Brit it’s ace and refreshing to see a couple of Americans truly learn about real British culture 👍

[@jeffmarriott1663]

"Ay up me duck" is a phrase I grew up with in mid Derbyshire (Amber Valley). It sounded like "Yupmiduk" - words were shortened and ran into each other, a classic being when asked to fetch something from the pantry and failing, to say " Tintintin" - It is not in the specified storage recepticle. 😊😊 Love your video's 👍👍

[@leohickey4953]

Yes, "Ay up me duck" doesn't sound quite right unless it's in an East Midlands accent, preferably Derbyshire (although I've heard it in Nottingham and Leicester).

[@richthefreeman]

Greetings from Ripley!

[@jeffmarriott1663]

@@richthefreeman Hello There, Born and raised in Somercotes

[@forestfanatic4605]

Tintintin means something you save in a tin isn't there it isn't in the tint in tin hello from Ironvlle Amber valley Derby Nottingham Ay up me duck

[@jeffmarriott1663]

@@forestfanatic4605 Hi There I was raised in Somercotes and the firsthouse I bought was in Codnor so I knew Ironville well :-)

[@grimaldus1967]

This video is the first time I've ever heard 'Cake or death' in my life.

[@ivylasangrienta6093]

I'd use peckish for when you're just a little bit hungry, not necessarily wanting snack food.

[@hanskneesun123]

"More Tea, Vicar?" Is used when you want to move on from an embarrassing conversation topic or situation.

[@frankhooper7871]

Oh, yes! And the intonation is very important.

[@ricmac954]

It's also a humorously ironic response to someone who has just loudly burped, as taking tea with a vicar is expected to be a decorous event where such a faux pas would be unacceptable (especially from a vicar).

[@alanmorris1831]

@@ricmac954 Yes, as in a 'trouser burp' or a 'botty cough'.

[@ricmac954]

@@alanmorris1831 😂

[@WanderingRavens]

Love that one! 😂😂

[@marysmith1922]

My late mother in law if she messed up doing something would say “ I got in a right mucking fuddle “ ( swap the F Nd M at the beginning of each word. ) at Xmas we would feed her Baileys in the hope she would get it wrong..... she never did.

[@stevieduggan1763]

This is known as a spoonerism. 😁🖖

[@Darth_Revan25]

"You alright?" can also be short handed to just "Alright?" too. I said this to an American friend and they didn't understand I was asking if they were doing okay, haha. 😄

[@helenrobinson8894]

Depending where you're from. I'm in the NW and would say y'orite?

[@stevearmstrong9213]

I have to admit it never sounds right when people on 'Americans about british' type videos say it as "you alright." In normal usage it's always "alright" or maybe "y'alright" but never with a full "you"

[@mrjdarcher]

The common phrase alright was introduced to me at high school. Like you I didn’t get it bc as a 13 year old. I used to reply, “ yes I’m well, how are you?” See I grew up in a middle class home where speaking proper was definitely encouraged. I have noticed that many of the things you speak about being British are from working class backgrounds. But it just goes to show how varied British dialects are.

[@mikesaunders4775]

Speaking ProperLY.

[@stirlingmoss4621]

a conservatory is traditionally a glased attachment to the main house where plants are kept. A garden-room has furniture instead of plants.

[@handsoffmycactus2958]

No it’s called a conservatory. No one calls their conservatory a ‘garden room’? It’s literally a structure you don’t need planning permission for.

[@Anglo-In-America]

I'm from Derby, we say duck and ey up me duck ALL the time. It's fine to say, nobody cares if you try it. Appropriation is not something to worry about. Honestly.

[@MrMrsmijj]

I use "give a bell" or "give a shout" for a phone call. Also I'd use "wanna brew?" For a cup of tea. Once went to Stoke and a massive fella on a building site said "ay up duck". I'd have taken the piss but didn't want to get filled in so said "ye sound mate, you?"

[@gail9299]

When I was a child, the bin man which we use now, was always referred to as the dustbin man. This may have something to do with a fact no one had central heating just a coal fire in the main room which had to be cleared out of ashes each time it was lit. The ashes of course went in the bin so really thick dust/ash everywhere. I'm washing up = washing pots etc I'm doing 'the washing' = laundry. Subtle difference 😁

[@michaelcole-hamer607]

You alright is often just shortened to alright and is often used as a greeting in passing rather that in a full conversation

[@ellenthorne8222]

There is song called My Old Man's A Dustman by Lonnie Donnigan available on KZbin. Dustman is the correct word however binman seems to be creeping in. A bit of slap and tickle is another version of hows yer father.

[@janiceturton7756]

My parents used to say they are putting the Dust out. Weird because it wasnt more tha a few % dust, We say the Dirty bin or the Recycling or green bin. we also call them Bin men. Language evolves

[@lizzie8615]

oh my old mans a dustman, he wears a dust mans hat, he wears cor-blimey trousers, and he lives in a counsil flat.

[@ellenthorne8222]

@@lizzie8615 love the jokes such as where's my tiger's head? 4 foot from his tail.

[@Erol_808]

'Give you a bell' is also commonly used for giving someone a telephone call :-)

[@janiceturton7756]

or a tinkle

[@grandporter01]

Ay up me duck, tends to be east midlands ie my home city of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, we call them bin men also dustmen as well. Great vlog, looking forward to the next one.

[@davidjones332]

The reason for the rash of conservatories that have afflicted Britain in recent years is that they are a relatively cheap way to add an extra room. Being largely plastic they don't require deep foundations, and most semis or detached houses can afford to sacrifice a bit of garden.

[@RobB_VK6ES]

I suspect the popularity has similar roots to the popularity of open top sports cars. Being eternally optimistic for warm sunny weather.

[@handsoffmycactus2958]

And they don’t require planning permission

[@Richarddraper]

It is absolutely fine too say me instead of my. It's really quite common usage here. I've also never heard anyone say cake or death before.

[@KernowWarrior]

I'm from Cornwall, and we would also use 'me' instead of my. But we would be likely to say "Alright me lover" instead of duck. We would also use 'me' instead of 'my' in general such as "Where's me hammer"

[@johnboy2562]

Do you know where the word Loo comes from? In the days before flushing toilets people would use chamber pots, then just throw the contents out of the window, shouting out "Regardez l'eau!", as a warning to any passers-by (it means "look out for water"). The "l'eau" bit evolved into the word Loo.🪣☔

[@stevieduggan1763]

I didn't know this. Thanks, Johnboy. 😁🖖

[@stevebarlow3154]

According to the 'Oxford English Dictionary' this is one of a number of suggested origins for the word 'Loo' for which there is no historical evidence. The 'OED' states that the word is of unknown origin. The 'OED' states that the most plausible origin is the French word 'Lieux', the plural of Lieu, meaning place. In the 17th century 'Lieux' was used as a euphemism for latrines. In the 19th century 'Lieux' was used as a short form of 'Lieux d'Aisances', meaning places of easement.

[@thievinggypsy99]

“Duck” is only used with “me” in certain places - in others, it’s just as likely that you’ll hear it without “me” - ie “hey up, duck”. We also use the term ”munchies” - however it’s different to peckish. If you have the munchies, you have probably just had a Camberwell Carrot and will eat anything in sight… Peckish can also be used to various degrees: “a little bit peckish” means you could manage a snack/ small meal; “rather peckish” means you’re starving, and “very peckish” means you’ll eat a horse.

[@PedroConejo1939]

Ooh, meant to say, when we say 'sandwich' it's much more like 'samwidge' than 'sand-wich'.

[@helenrobinson8894]

Definitely

[@savary62]

Ditto

[@alanprior7650]

Yep,sarney or "samwidge"...I think only posh people say sandwich.

[@AniWatX]

Instead of ‘how’s your father’ just say they’re having a bit of ‘nookie’ 😃. Also it’s ‘ey (hey) up duck. Love the channel you two. X

[@thegingerwitch322]

Back in the day the british greeting was "How do you do?" and the answer was "very well thank you, and you?" whether you were OK or not. So "all right?" is just a modern version of this and quite familiar to us Brits

[@888biblestudy]

That sounds like greetings I might’ve learned in elementary school in America in first grade.

[@Anglo-In-America]

I'm pretty sure now the polite response to "How do you do?" Is literally to just say it back to them.

[@JJBushfan]

Correction here (sorry.) This is a class divide issue. Somebody from the ... upper echelons, let's call them... would never answer 'how do you do' that way. And if you answered that way to their greeting, they would look down on you and think to themselves 'how on earth did this example of the grubby hoy-poloy manage to invade my space, and should I continue to engage them in conversation for the sake of politeness or walk away with my nose in the air?' 'Very well, thank you' is the 'correct' reply to 'How are you, Mrs Grimsdyke, and how are the seventeen little Grimsdykes? It is seventeen, is it not?' The correct reply to 'how do you do' - when thus greeted by a posh person - is simply 'how do you do.' Note no question mark because it isn't actually a question.

[@margaretnicol3423]

Works both ways. a'right? Hello! Can be stretched to are you all right if you're concerned about someone. Like a lot of English it depends on how you say it rather than which words you're using. (Just to make your life more difficult). :-)

[@margaretnicol3423]

@@JJBushfan Of course the common person would probably just say ''how do''. By 'common' I mean those pesky northerners. :-D

[@ricmac954]

Terms of familiarity or endearment: "Duck" (or "ducks") is mainly used in the Midlands but can be heard further afield; "love" is more northern and, years ago, was applied equally by both women and men *to* both women and men; "Pet" I haven't heard much outside the north; "mate" is probably the most common familiar reference, nationwide, used by blokes to blokes; "pal" is similarly used, especially in the north, but can often have a slightly aggressive connotation (eg "what you lookin' at, pal?); "cock" is probably more of a southern expression ("wotcha, cock" is probably a greeting heard far less than it used to be), as well as the similar "cock sparrer (sparrow)" or "me old sparrer."

[@pip5858]

I'm from Kent in the south east and use 'me'. As in "I'm just going to ring me mum" so don't think its just a Midlands thing although using that specific phrase is to my knowledge. In Kent we'd call a woman a 'bird' as in "alright bird" called to a close girl friend

[@coxy5850]

'You fancy a brew?' Same as 'do you want a cuppa?' but only related to tea... love ya!

[@wurble]

9:33 My god, Grace sounded so northern with that "is it?". Also, if you told me you had "the munchies" I'd assume you'd been smoking the old reefer.

[@LucifersTear]

Lol, I live in South Staffs where we have the Bab/Duck split. 😂🤣 I have one nan that says: "Ow am ya m'babby" (how are you my baby) Midlands/Black Country influence And another that says: "Oh ay up mi ducky-egg" (How are you my little egg) Potteries/Stoke influence South Staffs is a very colourful place where Yam Yam, Brummie and Stokie accents meet 😂

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

Bin man or dust man are the people who collect the rubbish from our bins. There's a song!

[@martincook9795]

There’s also “Naff off”, used by Princess Anne to journalists once. When asked what it meant, she said, “ask Ronnie Barker” ( I think). Stroller - pram!

[@ricmac954]

And pram is an abbreviation of perambulator

[@philhope2842]

Instead of "Do you want a cuppa?" I seem to say "Do you want a brew ? more often. 😊

[@mrjdarcher]

Fancy a cup of Char?

[@HyperDaveUK]

Much more northern to say Brew.

[@stephenlee5929]

@@HyperDaveUK Down South can be confused with beer, Once again fancy a brew?

[@PedroConejo1939]

Yuh mashin? Aye. Doowuz one then.

[@thecraggrat]

In the east midlands you'd say "shall I go mash up?" as "shall I go and brew some tea?" (well I would anyway), I'm careful not to say "shall I go and make some tea?" as this can also mean "go and make the evening meal". This also works in Lancashire, at least it does with my relations around Burnley.

[@stevecriddle]

I believe that conservatories are pretty common in the UK because planning permission isn't required because they are considered to be temporary structures. There are restrictions on the size though. But if you want to build an extension to your house (rather than a conservatory), planning permission IS required.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Cake or death must be a more recent phrase. I've never heard it. Not "weasled its way", but "weedled its way"!! Of course, loo derives from Waterloo! Yes, "duck" is very much a Midlands word. Bin man was more often called a dustman.

[@vaudevillian7]

It’s an Eddie Izzard reference (cake or death)

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

@@vaudevillian7 thanks. As this Mr Izzard is unknown to me, I assume he is a recent celebrity in the UK.

[@andywilliams7323]

Naff can mean tacky. But it much more commonly means either worthless, unfashionable, uncool or poor quality. Usage of the phrase sh**e is of Irish origin. And while commonly heard in Britain is even more commonly heard in Ireland. Also, yes the men who collect and empty bins in the UK are often called bin men.

[@jennifercufley1728]

Shite also in Scotland.

[@DruncanUK]

I can't understand why Americans have such a problem with the greeting "You alright?" but can't see the parrallel with their greeting "Hey, Whats happening?" or something similar. Lol

[@sniffrat3646]

Exactly, "alright" simply means "OK". What's so weird?

[@replevideo6096]

My bin men have only started cleaning the bins recently. I made a mental note just a few months back that one of my bins needed cleaning, as I like to do it on a dry day so I can leave it open to dry out. Then I noticed after the next collection, the bin was clean.

[@ShahOfBlahII]

I first heard Naff in the sitcom Porridge, which first aired as a series in the 70's. Some people believe it is an acronym for of No Apparent Function. Which would make ift NAF rather than NAFF. Sorry Eric can't see Naffiness catching on any time soon. A few years back pants also had a similar meaning. How was the film? It was pants. Dropped out of use lately.

[@alanprior7650]

"Naffing heck,Godber" Fletcher in Porridge used to say too. Never heard it before Porridge but entered English vocabulary afterwards!

[@TrottersPad]

Jeans and chinos are different to trousers due to different materials, usually cloth. Exception would be leather trousers, but not as common as regular trousers.

[@HyperDaveUK]

Alright? Great video! Naff/Naffness is really 90s and How's your Father is quite 70s. Curtain twitcher feels pretty 70s/80s too when "Neighbourhood Watch Groups" were a thing. All of the others are pretty generally Brit-ish/England (Duck indeed being from Stoke on Trent, The potteries).

[@peteholder7134]

Fun fact: Naff is actually an acronym. It originates from the old underground gay slang Polari, which was common in the gay community prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. The initials stand for "Not Available For F***ing", meaning "Sadly, the object of your affections is of the heterosexual persuasion and will likely rebuff your advances".

[@xixXxxXxix]

When you're with someone or hanging out with someone you can ask Y'arite? to see how they're actually doing. It's just when you're passing someone in public and you say Y'arite? that we don't expect an answer as it's not actually a question in that instance, it's just saying Hello. :)

[@garywilson177]

I'm from Burton on Trent in the Midlands and we use "Ayup mi duck" as a greeting, but we also use just "ayup" as a way to get somebody's attention. As in "Ayup Dave, look at that."

[@philstafford6216]

In the trousers vs pants debate, pants does have another meaning in the UK. If you say that something is pants, you are saying that it is not very good. So there you go - another thing to get confused about...

[@Thelegochronicles3798]

Good vid, its always fascinating to me when Americans are interested in our phrases. There's a similar one to "aup me duck" that we use in North Derbyshire "Aup duck" or Orate duck, there's also "Orate 'ows tha doin" as opposed to "Alright how you doing", or if you want are going to make a cuppa you also say "rate I'll get kettle on". Or if you want someone to be quiet you say "shut thee gob". Or if you can't find your glasses you say "wheres me readers?". This is broad Derbyshire and Yorkshire dialect so I hope you find this fascinating.

[@johnbellamy3406]

My American wife still falls into the 'pants' trap regularly. Stuff like "Is it cold today or is it because I'm not wearing pants?" role out when she's wearing a skirt. It never fails to amuse me.

[@Phiyedough]

Does she ever mention "cacky pants"?

[@WanderingRavens]

😂😂

[@corriehingston6744]

Moral of story: if you're American, do NOT compliment our pants either or you'll get glares from us Brits

[@garyblack1081]

I’m British and I’m from Manchester We use many of the words you use instead of the ‘English’ ones We say pants instead of trousers We say starving/hungry/munchies instead of peckish We say tacky instead of naff We say a brew/cuppa for both coffee and tea but then next question would be which one tea or coffee ? We do say you alright ? For a greeting but we also use what’s up ? Hey bro /yes bro And many more, It’s a complete mixture and I wouldn’t say we use one more than any other.

[@vaudevillian7]

So chuffed to see ‘ay up me duck’ being from Notts myself (or rather mi’sen). I think ‘me’ is acceptable. Yeah it’s Midlands, specifically around the Trent Valley. The last time we went to a Seahawks game most of us were from the Midlands so we’re bringing Midlands terms to the PNW, including ‘me duck’ so maybe you’ll be able to use it eventually...

[@ricmac954]

A Brit variation on "I could eat a horse" is "I could eat a horse between two bread vans", suggesting a kind of immense horse sandwich. We don't often see bread vans (in the bakers' livery) delivering bread to small shops any more. I wonder if they're still a thing? Slightly less appealing, but clearly indicating an even more desperate hunger for another equine-based butty (a sandwich in Liverpool), is the phrase "I could eat a rancid donkey between two matresses".

[@teresafinch7790]

I live in Hampshire, and usually say me instead of my, so feel free to use it.

[@WanderingRavens]

Thank you!!

[@sheenamaclean8324]

I've never heard of Cake or Death before, never heard of anyone who comes to clean your bin, At Up me duck is an East Midlands phrase. Yes they are called binmen.

[@Ian-lx1iz]

In my youth, I was sitting in a US bar, early evening with new friends, discussing going to another venue which had some event on. "That's good for me - but I really need to go home first and change my shorts" I said. I got slightly grim looks, before I realised the horror, and explained that for the evening, I'd be more comfortable in 'long trousers' rather than 'short pants'. Obvs, my American drinking buddies imagined I'd soiled myself - because to them I'd just expressed a need for clean underwear. ("Yeeeewww") Come the precise moment to leave, I further prevaricated. I hand-rolled cigarettes in those days and had my tobacco and rolling papers out. "Hold on a sec - I just need to roll a fag", I pleaded. Again with the disdainful non-comprehension. This took place at a bar in the Castro. Divided by a common language, clearly.

[@jakeratcliff9926]

As a Brit, I have never ever heard "cake or death", "ay up me duck" or "curtain twitcher". Yes, we do say binmen. Have you ever heard the expression "powdering her nose"?

[@withnail1967]

Check out the 1960s British Spy film The Ipcress File where Michael Caine makes himself a cup of coffee in the morning instead of tea - this has in marked down as a dangerous intellectual

[@coolstream]

And if he had done it during the war, he would probably have been considered a spy until the yanks arrived with their java joe...

[@cakeonyourface]

in Ireland 'How's your father' means anything you've forgotten the word for! example: "could you pass me the.. um.. the howsyourfather?" *while gesturing at whatever you need*. Loving your videos btw x

[@roysimpson9711]

I think Grace is always cheeky and she also likes peeping

[@phoebus007]

I like the way she acts coy and innocent when Eric comes out with something near the knuckle, when it is clear from her cheeky grin that she knows precisely what he is on about.

[@roysimpson9711]

I think shes great Erics a lucky man

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@roysimpson9711 Grace is gorgeous. Lucky Eric ! 😀

[@ellycelly5278]

Hehe for "washing the dishes," at a restaurant I worked at, a Polish colleague asked me to "Make the dishes." Bless them!

[@susanashcroft2674]

Yes the potters wheel and the kiln are in the corner next to the fridge!

[@PeteWylieRC]

I think everyone in all parts of the UK use 'me' in place of 'my' quite frequently when being more casual. You guys feel free to use it willy nilly :-)

[@barryorbik215]

Haha, "willy nilly" bet they haven't heard that one before

[@mrjdarcher]

Think more so in the working class areas. Not really that common in middle class homes. But use of me instead of I incorrectly is very common everywhere.

[@PeteWylieRC]

@@mrjdarcher my wife and me disagree 😂

[@mrjdarcher]

What is the context? Definitely not common with those who speak Middle English I know. My granny from Lancashire said it, and the yocals would use it. I suppose it’s stronger up north, and I have kinda a posh accent.

[@PeteWylieRC]

@@mrjdarcher Well my Mum and Dad are pretty middle class in that he's a retired bank manager and they live in a nice area of Bournemouth. They always say me instead of my and everyone I know does too and when being a bit casual. The sort of context is 'I can't find me trousers'! If I was meeting the queen I'd remember to say my trousers :-)

[@withnail1967]

The divide between northern accents and Southern accents still follows the line of the Viking danelaw roughly chester to essex

[@johnbenson2919]

I think you will find that most Brits differentiate between jeans and trousers if only due to the cut and style i.e. patch back pockets etc

[@matthewwalker5430]

I was thinking about when we say "trousers" also and it occurred to me that, whilst we usually call them "Joggers", we definitely say "Sweatpants" and not "Sweattrousers" which, when you think about it, sounds blimmin horrible! As a Brit we definitely should never use the term "sweatpants"😂

[@mollycat5361]

Hi Ravens, Love your videos. I was watching an episode of big bang theory. Sheldon Coopers 'fun with flags'. Made me think of you two🙂🙂🙂

[@keithevans9544]

Would never say naffiness ,a place would be "a bit naff"

[@stirlingmoss4621]

'are you alright?' is a polite enquiry re someone's health, but, 'ya'll right?' is just slang for 'hello.'

[@olly5764]

Naffiness wasn't a word, it is now, that is how British phrases occur, congratulations, you have now taken your next step towards being one of us.

[@WanderingRavens]

Ayyy! 🥂

[@ricmac954]

You do find the word "naffness" in use, though.

[@mikesaunders4775]

Naff originated in the 1940s/50s among the Gay community who had devised a sociolect called 'Polari'. Naff meant Bad, and Bona meant good. These words (and others) first reached the wider public through the radio show 'Around the Horne', which featured two homosexual characters called Sandy and Julian who would swap inuendoes while conversing in Polari.

[@fossehigh]

Love you two, you look as though you have so much fun together. I feel “ well Jel” which is short for “ well Jealous”. This phrase though is used mostly by younger Brits, ie not me!😉 I am from the midlands - Leicester to be procise . Leicester and Nottingham definitely say “Ay up!” - hello there. Or “ I ya!” Same thing.

[@mazdaram226]

Very impressive ye knowledge regarding the UK , lovely couple with eyes wide open … respect..

[@edf6607]

When I were a lad we were always told to "do the dishes"...

[@Jamie_D]

what are you doing to them, actually i don't wanna know,so how's you're father 🤣🤣🤣

[@Phiyedough]

A few years ago I had Helpx or Workaway volunteers from USA and this discussion has made me think back and wonder whether there were times when they were wanting to wash their hands but I thought they were offering to wash dishes!

[@ricmac954]

In the West Riding: "Weshin' 'pots" = washing up the dishes. "Sidin' 'pots" = putting them away afterwards.

[@janiceturton7756]

@@ricmac954 i grew up in London it was the washing up ,i moved to the Midlands its now wash or doing the pots

[@WanderingRavens]

@@Jamie_D 😂😂😂

[@kJ922-h3j]

Cheeky can be naughty, witty but also audacious, like you cheeky bastard if someone has had the nerve to say something in that way lol. ‘The cheek’ of him saying that...

[@holidayinnleicester]

Hi love your channel FYI it’s perfectly acceptable for you to use “me duck “ ....coming from Leicestershire my Malaysian girlfriend (now wife) asked me if she looked like a Duck because she had never heard the expression 🤪

[@WanderingRavens]

Thank you!!

[@stuke666]

We also say 'you want a brew?' Or 'you wana brew?' Which CAN be used for both tea and coffee.