How To Speak British - Anglophenia Ep 7

Blimey! Siobhan Thompson offers us a few British phrases that often baffle her American friends.
Learn 10 more British words here: www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia...
Visit the Anglophenia blog at www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia
Photos via Fotolia.
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Follow Siobhan Thompson on Twitter: / vornietom

[@patrickhodson8715]

American here. I had a British professor once and he said "Bob's your uncle" and then he asked "do you say 'Bob's your uncle' here?" and one of my classmates said "No, Sam is our uncle!"

[@federicopatteri1519]

+Patrick Hodson hahahah funny

[@michaeldougfir9807]

+Patrick Hodson // Yes! Our (national) "Uncle Sam," which is the federal government. He's quite a fellow, but has no idea how often he is wrong.

[@Neverjinxed]

+Patrick Hodson American here as well! I had a British Professor, while I was in college, continuously rebuff attempts to grant us the day off for 4th of July, which would against her department schedule! She finally got ticked and stated "Look! In case you guys haven't figured it out, I am British! You won the revolution! We are having class! How's that for 200 years of payback?"

[@patrickhodson8715]

You weren't in the states, were you? If you were, then your whole college should have gotten the day off.

[@Neverjinxed]

I was in the States! We were in an accelerated program that did not leave room for maneuvering. The way I saw it, we were all afforded an opportunity to drop the class after reviewing the schedule on the first day. None of us had to show on the 4th, she didn't care. She just wasn't stopping the lessons, per department scheduling.

[@sarahgent2674]

You forgot "No, it's fine" meaning "It is in no way fine, I'll hate you forever". And "Oh, that's not bad" meaning "That is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced".

[@primsuglyyoutubechannel9882]

this is the most fun we've ever had

[@StephenBoyd21]

Or "It was alright" with a similar meaning.

[@thewraith4514]

hahahaha gadh

[@zniesmaczony]

This is basically what every woman says whan she's mad at at you for some reason which you don't know and you're trying to figure out what's wrong.

[@marcusray3408]

and the word 'poxy'

[@EmberLeo]

I suppose "Head in the clouds" is roughly equivalent to "Off with the fairies"...

[@zniesmaczony]

It;s pretty similar to what we say in Poland: Rocking in the clouds. Meaning basically the same.

[@EmberLeo]

That implication may be regional or something...

[@StamfordBridge]

+Ember Leo Agreed. "Head in the clouds" is the exact equivalent, not "space cadet." And to the person who objected to this, I think both "head in the clouds" and "away with the faeries" can mean just "momentarily distracted" or "naive, impractical, clueless, generally off in his/her own world."

[@waterbender19]

Or we say "he's spacing out" some of my teachers, when noticing a kid who zones out particularly often, say, "what a space cadet"

[@maxheadroom3839]

Cuppa Tea Yeah you are right.

[@andrewmbnl]

London-based colleague of mine drew a total blank at Maceys in New York just before Christmas. She informed a burly store security guard 'that bloke just nicked a jumper'...

[@petercseszarik6552]

+Andrew M Bergman hahahahaha I love British :)

[@pvtrichter8816]

+Andrew M Bergman stole a tracksuit!! is what she meant !! Just love these phrases!!

[@Mithrasboy]

+Andrew M Bergman Would you Adam and Eve it? A jumper is of course what the US calls a sweater. One of the biggest misunderstandings I had in a retail context was in Australia. In Britain we use the term 'flogged' to mean sold. In Australia it means stolen. I had a few blank moments over that less than subtle difference.

[@ShozzleMeNoz]

+pvtrichter88 No it doesn't. It means someone stole that sweater. The word 'jumper' means sweater. Source: British person

[@ianhubbard4954]

+ShozzleMeNoz it also means someone who jumps, lol jumps is a funny word it doesn't look right

[@BBCAmerica]

Love it. Keep up the great work, Siobhan!

[@morganhall1222]

"Away with the fairies" sounds SO MUCH better than "la la land"

[@C.J.80]

😂

[@simanchalasisa9510]

Morgan Conner oh you

[@june7447]

Americans say "I haven't seen you in ages!" not "I haven't seen you in an age"

[@Random_Fanatic]

The classic "It's been a while."

[@florianp2122]

+Gold Winger You could say... I haven't seen you in a Rac ethnic animal's age! ... nah doesn't have the same ring to it :/

[@monkeybusiness673]

You people should jump on the "cut everything away until it rings gaily" train of the Brits. "Haven't seen you in a Rac!" is totally sufficient and I like it.

[@maxheadroom3839]

British people say that more commonly than donkey's years there are many ways to say it. When I was young we used to say " Haven't seen you in yonks" Yonks meaning ages but I am buggered if I know what yonks means

[@eddie0252]

British people say that too I've never heard of donkeys years and I'm English

[@AlexOjideagu2]

The full phrase is actually "Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt" But pretty much NOBODY knows that today under 30 years old.

[@deliciator855]

+ojideagu I'm under 30 and I always knew that one

[@patrickssideburns2223]

I know it I'm 12:)

[@missjacksonisnastywithryde2011]

+Patrick's sideburns Omg your username and profile pic is amazing

[@charlottemay9058]

+Patrick's sideburns same

[@madisonlea1371]

I'm 13, British and I know both of them

[@trodd1sox]

One I grew up with: "Put wood in hole", meaning "close the door".

[@jackssmirkingrevenge9365]

trodd1sox - really? my dad traditionally just shouted *DOOOOOOOORS* at me

[@lucy3191]

trodd1sox it means somthing else near me 👉👌

[@BillAnt]

Put the pecker in the woody.... I donno, just made that up.. lol

[@joesheppard5960]

Was you born in a barn..haha

[@Fiddling_while_Rome_burns]

I would describe Britain and the US as two nations divided by knowing who Oscar Wilde actually was. working for a US company for several years here's the ones I used to use that baffled the natives. "Doin me ead in" "Oi mate!" "innit" "it's all gone pear shaped" "the boys done good" "on the piss" "it's the dog's bollocks" "arse over tit" "scarper" "throw a wobbler" "shite"

[@aucourant9998]

"Don't cut your nose off to spite your face".

[@winterdodd8517]

aucourant we use that one

[@gracedarcy7524]

oh my god, my parents use that one so much

[@charlottealice4845]

aucourant my parents use that cos I'm stubborn as hell

[@TheFaro2011]

omg is this not universal?!

[@mspsychochaos3246]

Does "away with the fairies" have the same meaning as "to have your head in the clouds"?

[@Tkw-vo4md]

Yep!

[@mspsychochaos3246]

Ok, thanks!

[@sellersmike]

Also, "off in la-la land."

[@RossM3838]

or out in left field

[@ConnieWobbles]

+Rossm3838 No it's not quite the same as left field. It's used for someone distracted and not taking much in etc because their mind is elsewhere.

[@Planez4meh]

I could listen to her talk all day. Doesn't matter what about, the accent is gorgeously enticing.

[@alicebowen2526]

Gordon Benett's probably my favourite one to use.

[@MimiTalisaa]

*dying*

[@MariesNotes]

Haha Gordon Bennett! Hilarious!

[@HayamWaruk]

My favorite British phrase? That's the dog's bollocks.

[@karolinamajka7294]

Siobhan, you are a genius, I'm Polish and my mum teaches English here, we're both interested in British culture and we also like improving our language skills. Your youtube channel is now one of our favourites, what you do is brilliant, creative, and well-prepared. We absolutely LOVE your sense of humour :)

[@KimRobertson]

What is amazing is that Aussies use almost all of these phrases. Far more UK phrases that US ones. I was a bit afraid for a while there that US TV shows might ruin some of the colourful English language heritage we Aussies have. Apparently not so much....oh bugger....

[@DonKeyWilde]

We use a couple of these in Canada. I'm going to start saying "Donkey years".

[@KimRobertson]

Don Wilde It should be "Donkey's years".

[@DonKeyWilde]

yup, your right.

[@DaveMuller]

*you're :p

[@AnjoDun]

That was quite helpful, actually. For all the griping Brits do about Americans slaughtering the English language, we look at them as if they are bonkers because all of these colloquialisms are such nonsensical baby talk to us.

[@tpedits9368]

WHAT! I'm British and I only knew a few of these phrases

[@bobbydylanio]

To be fair though, I didn't know one or two.

[@jamielad3696]

yep same the only one I have heard of is bobs your uncle the rest I have never heard before

[@scottthompson292]

Well I'm Aussie and knew all of these, even though we have a slight twist on some of them.

[@fionagregory5774]

If you do not know you must be very young.

[@camel8599]

TØP EDITS you're too young sweets

[@NhojFlactem]

'Up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire' was also the title of Vera Lynn's first hit record in 1936, which probably popularized the phrase to the masses and explains why it is still used

[@cbjones82]

was also in a nursery rhyme

[@sezzierocket3965]

I like the British phrase, "Night, night, sleep tight, mind the bed bugs don't bite". It came from when they used ropes instead of slats on the bed frame and they used to have to tighten the ropes!

[@pu0081]

Dear Sioban, do you think you could post tapescripts for your videos so that English teachers could make full use of them in class. Being short and informative and soooo nicely presented they can be great fun for learners as well as for their teachers. Tapescripts would make teachers' work easier. Thank you ever so much for your marvellous videos!

[@JoshAston23]

I haven't used the term donkeys years in donkeys years

[@C.J.80]

😂

[@InkblotSatan]

"Up the wooden hill to bedfordshire" isn't used as often but they're is a similar cockney rhyming slang "up the apples and pears" meaning "up the stairs" which is more common and recognizable. Similar ones include;- "down the dog and toad" = down the road "barnet fair" = hair "pepper and pott" = "off you trott" meaning to go away or send someone away

[@0451rk]

Do you have "not my cup of tea" over in the U.S.?

[@kristophernekula5151]

+The Nerd Bird yes

[@TheSaneHatter]

+The Nerd Bird And numerous variants, too: I once read a dog-fancier describe cats as "not my cup of fur," just to be funny.

[@0451rk]

The more you know.

[@TaylorKnightCosplay]

I'm American and I've heard that term before

[@matthewbartke4424]

+The Nerd Bird Yes, it is very common.

[@tjfSIM]

These are great - I hear a lot of them on a daily basis, but I think they're very much Southern based. If you go to Northern England, you'll find a lot of very different idioms and phrases that are little known or used in London or the South East. In particular, Newcastle, Liverpool, Yorkshire and Birmingham all have very particular regional colloquialisms.

[@DavidHSouthernGent]

There's where the U.S. and England are alike. As in there are different dialects in the North, and in the South. If you think some of the dialects in England are odd. You should listen to some true southerners in Mississippi, (Cajun). They speak in such a way, it may sound like there stupid, but no. I do find the Cajun language really funny to listen to.

[@solatiumz]

tjf4375 Have you got a cob on ya? lol

[@DavidHSouthernGent]

Cob? Do you mean "Corn on the Cob?" lol

[@Lambieschmoo]

tjf4375 My gran was a Brummie and if you asked her what someone said on the phone she'd reply, "he said your feet stink and you don't love Jesus"

[@jonoboyleenglishteacherand1689]

tjf4375 I once lived up Stoke - what a myther

[@raspberrybomb8421]

Im British and ive never heard half of these

[@babysnoops14]

Rasberry Bomy ikr

[@sarbanbhattacharya2878]

I think you belong to the posh milieu. Most of the phrases enumerated by her are Cockney slangs and other rag-tag street words.

[@BellyJae]

Sarban Bhattacharya I'm American but my grandma was from Camden so I grew up with a lot of Cockney Rhyming slang. I loved it so much that me and her always spoke cockney slang in public to confuse everyone. I miss her..

[@darcyg999]

BellyJae haha that's where I'm from but I love in Ireland now

[@silentwatcher1455]

Raspberry Bomb You must be away with the fairies when the lessons were being in the classroom.

[@theonetruephil]

"Put wood int' wood 'ole" (Put the wood in the wood hole) To close the door in Yorkshire (Sheffield specifically)

[@familywebb19]

I am so bloody proud to be british :D I love how americans see us

[@Sid-kb3bu]

Rachel Rules same it's just so fun talking to people and making them so bloody confused XD

[@lucycoleman2923]

Rachel Rules YAAASSS

[@Grace-mz6gx]

Rachel Rules, if I were British, I would totally be proud of it, but I am not sure you realize, that the majority of Americans see you as the country who lost the colonies, George III the tyrant, and stuck-up. I don't agree with those statements, but my classmates do... I wouldn't love to be thought of that way...

[@lorddefaultus4863]

Aww bloody ell I'v found me bloody brothers from Britain. I'm so proud to be British too

[@stevedl3150]

HM Grace. A few years ago I went to New York City, having being informed beforehand that if I wanted an opinion I`d get one there. Not that this is why I went. Those people ( New Yorkers ) were in general and for much the greater part delightful, and if they thought of me as a stuck- up loser they certainly hid it well. I hope that, should you ever come here, you shall be treated as well here as I was there.

[@txthumper5853]

my uncle worked in the UK for awhile, he was shocked when his female roommate asked him to knock her up in the morning

[@nuyabuisness7526]

I will now be using "The dawn chorus" and "Bob's your uncle"

[@Loroths]

+nuya buisness She's absolutely right that "bob's your uncle" is used for something done quickly and efficiently, but it is also used as sarcasm to describe something that is obvious, like an obvious outcome; "He punched the popo (police) and bobs your uncle he got nicked (arrested). No surprise to anyone. I sometimes use the phrase "'Lo and behold" to that effect too, but that might just be me.

[@rickrizzle423]

I could listen to her talk ALL DAY!

[@femoralslasher]

I can listen to her talk all day.

[@RichardArmitageUS]

This is a stitch. Considering that I lived in London for a year *and* how much British TV I watch, I was surprised by how many I *didn't* know. Terrific, fun video.

[@MartinaKlenke]

You are not alone with that, lol

[@JanetWilliams01]

I was truly horrified my first year working in the UK when a VERY nice looking fellow came around and perched on the edge of my desk and leaned over and said, "So, have you had any joy?" I looked around madly. Had anyone else heard this? He leaned over and said again, "Have you had any JOY?" My eyes must have been saucers. Finally, he said, "So, were you able to contact that client like we agreed yesterday you were going to do?" OH! So "joy" must mean "luck"! I was SO relieved.

[@smissions7340]

+Janet Williams eh, you said "fellow."

[@pvtrichter8816]

+Janet Williams it may seem like he was asking if you got lucky !! Which seems to be directed at men more often!!

[@JanetWilliams01]

+Peter Stephenson Thanks for the clarification, Peter!

[@JanetWilliams01]

+S Missions Is "fellow" not a word used in the UK? Thanks, S!

[@middyred68]

+Janet Williams it means luck to me, as in " I had no joy at all today trying to get through to the bank" i.e call them..

[@davegreenlaw5654]

Living here in Canada, with plenty of UK heritage - not to mention growing up with a great-grandmother who was a staunch monarchist - I learned quite a lot of these phrases...and pretty much understood that first part of the video. (Also, having close family from Scotland around also helped a lot.)

[@amyfisher2771]

I'm English (working class) and genuinely say most of these even though I'm 14. Definitely depends on where you live in the uk though

[@winterdodd8517]

Tom Mulligan There is no such thing as a classless society.

[@RedSkyHorizon]

Winter Dodd No, but there should be. That's my point.

[@winterdodd8517]

I agree. I wish there were too.

[@petesheehan6927]

Winter Dodd No, but there is a society that doesn't have any class.

[@winterdodd8517]

Pete Sheehan Touche!

[@BillyLeeGoodman]

in an age? you mean ages.

[@msnyleo]

Here in my native America, I've only heard it expressed, "I haven't seen you in a dog's age," owing to the alleged fact that dogs age more years in a single year, than a human ages in a single year (?) And it is also common to say you haven't seen someone in "ages."

[@ctownshend7360]

No, "in an age" is perfectly acceptable.

[@StamfordBridge]

+C Townshend. Acceptable, yes, and it'll be understood, but in the States "in an age" is far, far rarer than "in ages."

[@imirik]

'Be reet in morning'. sometimes said as simply 'Buh-'reet' - In the town of wigan, this means "things will be allright" used in a sentence: "Eee, yah sista broke door? gerra ear an al ave word wit err, b'reet int mornin, but hers got too learn." also that is actually how my grandfather speaks.

[@EvoLeil]

I dont know about other areas of America but in Kentucky, "Bob's your uncle" is commonly used.

[@kurtlundstedt]

mi favorite: "NOT BATTING ON A FULL WICKET", a creative, strange person...wicked...

[@maryj8098]

"She is the cats mother" - when referring to someone in the room as "she" rudely "lost their marbles"- gone crazy "screamie wiemies" -night terrors

[@katherine8966]

A lot of Brits here saying they've never heard these before - I've lived in the South West all my life and have heard them all except "up the hill to Bedfordshire". They all generally are in daily use. Another good one is "having a bubble" (Bubble bath / laugh) and also "taking the Mick (or piss)" or if you're really cheeky, "Extracting the Michael"

[@lukesinger6290]

Only one i didn't know too.

[@himagain803]

Having a bubble should actually be having a bobble, as in bobble hat and scarf. Apologies, my pedantry winds me up (there's one the lady missed) too, I can't help myself.

[@solatiumz]

Katherine Gobey My parents used to say to us "Up the wooden hills" but not the Bedfordshire part, this was in the Midlands in the early 70s.

[@kimgrattage2395]

I know them all too Katherine. I am British born and bred, How bout this one. Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs? Or, Gone dark over Bill's mother's? The lights are on but nobody's home, similar to away with the fairies I'd say? Lol

[@eulaliogarcia_comu]

I can't believe that this channel never crossed me in youtube. You guys are awesome!

[@annakandyba]

Please do more video like that! They are super useful and those idioms are so easy to learn because of you!😊

[@Lapinporokoira]

I like Codswallop. Up the Duff is an interesting one. And Sticky Wicket is always fun to say

[@JamesTilsley1]

What kind of 19th century mary poppings world do you live in? never heard any person in the UK ever use those words.

[@Lapinporokoira]

***** I'm 35 I'm practically ancient :(

[@bjkmurray]

+Lapinporokoira I like "in the club" for up the duff...

[@runcibusarse-weasel964]

In the north of England, when there's a storm coming, you might hear someone declare "It's black over Bill's mother's".

[@frogletx]

"Well, go to the foot of our stairs!" : an expression of mild surprise. I never really made sense of that one or how it was derived, but apparently its northern.

[@TobiasBaltus]

"swings and roundabouts" in German: "Jacke wie Hose" (literally: "jacket like trousers") oder "gehüpft wie gesprungen" (literally: "skipped like jumped")

[@mouseguin]

You missed "Send to Coventry" which always amuses me. (I am British btw)

[@strandloper]

I love this. How have I never found your channel before? BTW, to all those commenting to say "I've lived in the UK for donkey's years and never heard most of these"; I'm Scottish born and though my family left the UK for South Africa when I was only two years old, I'm familiar with most of these.

[@fiveheed]

How have I just now run in to this amazing channel!!!

[@holidaysinsweden]

I've only just recently discovered these videos, and, being something of an anglophiliac myself, I love them!

[@jamiegalbraith4874]

Well I'm from Scotland. And in some places it gets to -18 and lower. So. Not exactly 12 degrees everyday.

[@babysnoops14]

I love the part when she said. No the balls you thinking of. 😂😂. How did she know

[@annabella_prinx]

It's so much fun learning about new idioms.

[@burieddreamer]

If you think it rains all year long, you missed the last two summers. Last year it was sunny for 3 months straight in London, all grass was yellow, the air was dry, it was a nightmare.

[@achtungcircus]

As a Canadian, I understood about 80% and use about 1/2 of these.

[@kateemma22]

I think most Commonwealthers do. I'm Australian and we use them all.

[@RandomVideos500]

Where in Canada do you live? I live in Southern Ontario and have heard some of these, but no Canadian's I know use them lol

[@achtungcircus]

Well Bob Tob, I don't seem to be able to reply directly. I live in Trawnna.

[@Mikej1592]

OMG, I never heard "Living at her majesty's pleasure" that is so awesome! I love it. I want to twist it round to use it in the states, maybe living at the POTUS' pleasure... naaa, not quite as cool.

[@maues14]

I've just subscribed to your channel - it's gripping! I have a British friend and co-worker from whom I have learned lots of British words, phrases and idioms. The ones I can recall now are: rattle one's cage, dodgy, bugar, get shirty with someone, to be gutted, the bee's knees, a big girl's blouse...

[@peterpodgorski]

As a non-native speaker, thank you for making me even more aware that my English has much more in common with America than it does with Britain. Despite that my living in Europe makes the relationship between distance and influence inversely proportional... I blame Hollywood. Subscribed :).

[@MetroDET2011]

How to speak british: Sound like you think you are better than everyone else and are of a "higher class"

[@JakeyMikeySmithey]

you really have no idea do you?

[@missionDan]

we are better than everyone else. we don't have to pretend

[@kerensabaker6538]

No, that is London English, sometimes called BBC English. It has nothing to do with class, and everything to do with education.

[@BoboDoboRobo]

Success breeds jealousy.

[@jammers1996yido]

when you're country has owned over 95% of the worlds terriorty you can act like that.

[@thathappyllamafilms]

When I visited my cousin in England we all met up for dinner and when she was asking me about a place I went with my family the day before like stone henge or something and she aksed, "How did you find it?" I was super confused for a moment and was about to answer, "Uhh, we just drove there." when I realized she was asking me how I liked it. I'd like to know what slang we Americans use that Brits don't understand.

[@annies8075]

For example: we say having a chin wag where I live in Lancashire, but approx 60 miles away in parts of Cheshire they say having a jangle.

[@StephenBoyd21]

Job's a goodun, great video.

[@ColtonKiefer]

"The closest in American English is probably space cadet, but it's not exactly the same." Actually we just say we're spacing out!

[@zachdoss9265]

ik ive never heard of space cadet

[@suebanna]

theres also 'head in the clouds' which would be pretty close I would think.

[@l8i1v4i]

or daydreaming

[@ColtonKiefer]

suebanna That's another good one and Levi Hamilton true!

[@Bob-mw6lk]

zach smith Space Cadet is an 1980's thing. You're probably younger than 40. :)

[@jimhuskins8506]

I miss this channel. Delightfully entertaining. Never failed to provide a treasured few moments in faerie land.

[@angharadhafod]

Don't forget the abbreviation of Donkey's Years - Yonks. As in "I haven't seen her for yonks". Also note you can't say "It's monkeys in here" as you did at the end (at least, I've never heard it). It's always "brass monkeys", and usually used in the context of the weather, as in "It's brass monkey weather today".

[@sixtysecondvlog]

there are plenty of Yorkshire phrases that have been missed out...... as a Yorkshire lass I use them every day!

[@karenbartlett1307]

Judith Harris Well, tell us what they are, dear!

[@BradTheThird]

Being from the North, a particular phrase I like is "Ay-up". Although I don't know how to describe it, probably meaning "Hello" but not as a greeting. If someone could describe "Ay-up" that would be great.

[@karenbartlett1307]

BradTheThird Are you from the North of England or Northern US? Because "Ay-up" as far as I know is New England for "yes" or actually "yeah". But I think it's pronounced "Ay-uh". I haven't the faintest idea what it would mean in the North of England.

[@BradTheThird]

Northern England... The "Ay" is pronounced like "Hey" but without the "H". The "Ay" meaning "yes" that you're thinking of is probably prounced as "Eye", that's used a lot here too. But all the broad dialect tends to be used among the older generations. Hell, I don't even know if I've spelled it right.

[@BradTheThird]

Yes! That is the context that it's used in. Let's get an example going. Say you was to see someone you know, somewhere you wouldn't expect to see them, you would say "Ay-up, what are you doing here?" In the surprised sense because you weren't expecting it. It very interesting to see that it is in Germany. How would that work actually? Would they say "Ay-up" and then speak the rest in German or do they have their own word for it?

[@Rashy225]

Ay-up is like "look at this" or "hello" I think it's to draw attention. I'm from the north and hear it all the time.

[@Candolad]

+BradTheThird - I think "Aye" meaning yes is used in Scotland and the very North of England.

[@nosleeplisa]

I LOOOVE THIS! excellent! Thank you!

[@seanholman9064]

I am an American whose lived in Manchester for about 2.5 years, and I've only heard two of these. There's loads of other confusing phrases and words though such as "tea" for "dinner" and "dinner" for "lunch" (I've been told that's northern, but it is common in Manchester), "pudding" for "dessert", "pants" for "underwear", and almost all car related terminology. Also, "Bob's your uncle" is used in the US (at least where I grew up).

[@middyred68]

Sean, yes a lot of what you mention there are northernisms :-) I'm from Manchester so it's always breakfast, dinner and then tea, but that confuses many southerners :-)

[@marthamauser2645]

How about "spend a penny" and "oh my giddy aunt"

[@Grrness]

Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt! 👍 Well thought out video, glad I stumbled across your channel, think I may introduce my American friend to here 😆

[@TanyaTateTube]

I thought the same thing! "and Fanny's your aunt"! LOL

[@Grrness]

Tanya Tate Aye, it's pretty common to add that onto the end too 😆

[@kayless0]

Oh "Fanny" is a crude word in British slang.

[@Grrness]

Michelle Peat It was a name before it was ever turned into something crude.

[@2Brian]

Michelle Peat ... for a woman's front bits :-)

[@victorcastillo-dx9vh]

This hostess is so beautiful and her voice so lyrical. I love her

[@waltolome]

I really love the way you explain this. It sounds familiar and friendly. Thank you very much.

[@merds475]

My mum often says 'It's a bit black over Will's Mother's' when it's stormy

[@tismxtt7623]

I thought its dark not black and Bill's not Will's?

[@paige739]

+Shouty Dog well bill is short for William so

[@merds475]

+Shouty Dog I guess it varies over the country

[@TanyaTateTube]

Love the vid. :)

[@BoboSLO1]

No Tanya...i love u ;)*

[@charr441]

Not so much a phrase, but here in South Wales some of us have a habit of saying things like 'I'll do it now in a minute' or 'who's coat is that jacket?'

[@kyunglee3598]

Although I travelled around as a child, my mother has used all of these phrases before. She grew up in Norfolk

[@heresjonny666]

I'm going up the apples to have a barclays. It's good for the old strawberry, but the trouble probably wouldn't like it. :D

[@vicsaul5459]

maybe u need to change banks. if you got trouble n strife wiv her indoors

[@theanimefan00]

Interresting. In Hungary literally we say: Away with the fairies = He/she is walking on the moon (A holdon jár)

[@CaroVasquezFTW]

167IsaBella Here in Chile we say "He's on the moon" (Está en la luna)

[@grzesiekwas2526]

167IsaBella Polish version is: swinging in the clouds (Bujac w oblokach)

[@theanimefan00]

grzesiek was Oh ! :D Cześć, polscy przyjaciele!

[@user-be6qk2hq3o]

grzesiek was In Russian too - vitat v oblakah

[@pssecho]

167IsaBella We say somebody is "behind the moon" :D

[@cathbakes130]

Donkeys years is a naval term. A donkey was a crank, used to lift goods on and off a ship, and it was extremely slow, hence donkeys years

[@TheFever77]

I've never been more of an anglophile since moving to America. You never know how good you've got it till you don't have it. I yearn for all things British now.

[@laura8258]

I'm english and pretty common but I ent even Hurd of half of these phrases x

[@agent9809]

where in the U.K. ?

[@Tyba.x]

I've lived in the UK all my life and I haven't heard half of these 😳 maybe not very common talk in Oxford.

[@agent9809]

where in the U.K. ?

[@Tyba.x]

@stephen in oxford

[@johntolentino7855]

decided to give *INSTAphamous. COM* a try and in the past hour got 512 likes

[@gtgene]

Like anywhere else there are regional expressions. It's nice to know, but I'd look like a fake using expressions from a place I never lived or was raised in.

[@charliefoxx81]

they are mostly sayings that have been around for a while... and if you are young you may not have the generation around you that says it..

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Such fun! I recognize some of these from my late British wife, and her lovely family.

[@damiensorrell8542]

We say "fam" here in UK too. Used literally everywhere. Any Americans visiting uk be sure to know what the word means

[@damfino1964]

I can remember my English relatives asking if I was "taking the mickey" or "playing the mickey" meaning "are you making fun of me" or telling a tall tale (I think.. correct me if I'm wrong) What is the origin of this phrase anyway?

[@freddieELALskitt]

From England, havent ever heard of or used half of these

[@alexojideagu]

You live in a cave?

[@karenbartlett1307]

alex ojideagu Or, "were you raised in a barn?" That's also American, from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri or possibly the Appalachians in Tennessee. We always said it in reference to people from Arkansas. That's south of Missouri. (No offense.) Another phrase from the "hillbillies" (people from the mountains of Appalachia or the Ozarks) is "it ain't worth a hill o' beans", but I have an idea that's an American Indian phrase adopted, as Indian farmers planted in hills, while Euro-Americans plant everything in flat rows. Indians would pile up soil in a small hill, put a few corn seeds in the middle, put some bean seeds around the corn (so the beans could grow up the stalk of corn) and put squash seeds at the base of the hill, all around, because they're vines and need room to spread out. Pretty clever.

[@Crosshead1]

As an Australian, it's fascinating watching your videos. You'd have no trouble being understood down here although we've probably got a few slang terms that would leave you guessing.

[@otavio.a.8.r]

I really enjoy your videos. And listen you talking so fast I've realized that I can understand english .

[@zniesmaczony]

0:42 ubiquitously is certainly a word most Americans don't know :D

[@nickieshadowfaxbrooklyn5192]

zniesmaczony add: omnipresent ;)

[@hotsistersue]

As an American, I am often perplexed that "Bollocks" is bad, but "The Dog's Bollocks" is good. So, testicles are generally bad unless they are a canine's? Is it good only if the testicles are still attached to said dog, or are we talking neutered animals? Is it a matter of cuisine? I get it. I've seen "The Supersizers Eat."

[@g0pot]

Bollocks is simply a little harsh and can come over as aggressively critical. When people are saying something is the dogs bollocks (or the mutts nuts if you want a politer version) then it's normally in a more positive celebratory context of saying something's great. Anglophenia is definitely the mutts nuts...

[@michaeldoyle1588]

I once heard that the phrases "Dog's Bollocks" and "Bog Standard" came from the boxes that Meccano sets ( a toy) came in donkeys years ago :-). Apparently there were two sizes; the more expensive version Box Deluxe and the cheaper, Box Standard. Now that sounds too good to be true.....

[@hotsistersue]

Michael Sansom Yes, but why?

[@g0pot]

Who knows...social conventions probably. Mutts nuts, dogs danglies and dogs bollocks are all perfectly acceptable expressions of how awesome something is although it's definitely a phrase that would be used more with your mates than your mum. On it's own, bollocks is more of a slur e.g. "you're talking bollocks" (lying) or simply "bollocks" (I don't agree with you in the strongest terms). You used to hear people using the similar term "balls" but it seems a bit quaint now and doesn't have the force of bollocks.

[@g0pot]

...oh, yeah...why does 'the dogs bollocks' mean something is awesome. I haven't got a scooby do. Maybe something to do with the fact that dogs bollocks stick out / stand out. The dogs bollocks basically means to stand out or be outstanding. I'm guessing though...

[@nunyabiznez6381]

My grandmother whose parents were from Ireland called it the "breakfast chorus."

[@VTViEt]

Slapped arsed. Can't get over that phrase.

[@jasminejo2424]

to do really posh English say ears instead of yes

[@privatecocky8971]

People speaking in Recieved Pronunciation do. Not too many people speak in it these days though.

[@peterdunn4388]

jasminejo2424 what?

[@legobestfan123]

Private Cocky I certainly agree. My family and I only speak upper Rp because we fall quite behind in society I'm afraid

[@jordanbeckham7799]

british i love you so much

[@AtheistOrphan]

Thank you Jordan!

[@stevestruthers6180]

I'm Canadian, and some UK phrases are still commonly used in the English-speaking parts of the country, owing to the country's British heritage. "Bob's your uncle", is often heard although less so than in the past, and sometimes you'll hear people saying "It's colder than the balls on a brass monkey" in the winter months. Although I must confess that when I first heard that phrase when I was a kid, I didn't know it was British slang and thought it referred to a literal monkey made out of brass, LOL. And I've known forever what a chin-wag is.

[@arto59s]

"I'll go to the foot of our stairs" [said when surprised - people don't go the bottom of their stairs normally]. "I'll wait until the cows come home" [a reflection of dairy farming when the milkmaids used to wait in the shippon for the cows to come for milking but means waiting for ages].

[@bertfarry3793]

Away with the fairies is true with my family we are Farry's