Michael Sheen had a bit of a language problem in America 😂

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Watch the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 bbc.in/iPlayer... Cush Jumbo tells a story about how American slang confused Michael Sheen on the set of The Good Fight.
Joining Graham for his traditional Hogmanay chat: Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain, star and producer of female spy film The 355; British actor Claire Foy, talking about quirky biopic The Electrical Life of Louis Wain; Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, playing Cyrano de Bergerac in Joe Wright’s new adaptation, Cyrano; Good Omens and Twilight star Michael Sheen, playing multiple versions of himself in Last Train to Christmas; versatile Brit Cush Jumbo, starring in Harlan Coben drama Stay Close; and top comic Joe Lycett, promoting his UK tour More, More, More. Music comes from The Divine Comedy, who perform their classic Something for the Weekend, and there are some final stories from the Big Red Chair to round off the year.
The Graham Norton Show | Series 29 New Year’s Eve Show | BBC
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[@ladykatie3958]

As an American I totally thought this was going the opposite direction. I thought the Brit’s were gonna say hummer was slang for something sexual and the Americans were gonna be like, “Nah man, it’s a car”. 😂😂😂 I’ve literally never in my life heard anyone use that word to mean anything other than those big jeep looking cars that famously have terrible gas mileage

[@jordonmanderson]

Same

[@daneeinglis1894]

It's a blow job done by someone with no teeth. Can I say that in the comments?

[@hashbrownfob]

same ha

[@casey6556]

Same; I’m Canadian but we tend to get most US slang

[@totallybored5526]

In parts of England it’s normal to call someone ugly a “hummer”

[@williamqin5051]

I'm American and I assumed it was a car, didn't realize anyone thought it was different

[@junbh2]

Yeah, I wonder how common that slang actually is.

[@unrulyjulie4382]

Never heard anyone say that before either.

[@aec9174]

I'm a 64-year-old American, born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, and I've NEVER heard "hummer" used as slang for anything other than a car.

[@RatKindler]

I heard that slang years ago but didn't realize people still used it.

[@gigibluestockings5168]

@@aec9174 I just blew my coffee!🤣🤣🤣👍🏽

[@mimi7434]

As an American I've never known a Hummer was anything other than an SUV.

[@funkycacahuete2933]

Came to say this

[@JimFortune]

"Hummer" was a BJ long before the US military decided to replace their jeeps and Dodges. That's why the nickname caught on and spread so quickly.

[@1BigBen]

@@JimFortune well that was a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV aka Humvee 1984 and Hummer was GM name for it on the civilian market 1996 some say that BJ Hummer is from the 70s others its from the 60s, it is not likely that it is older than that.

[@ophelias4172]

As a fellow North American (more north than American, ahem), I also thought a Hummer was a vehicle.

[@joannesmith2484]

I heard that expression for a bj long before the SUV came onto the scene.

[@connieallen41]

I believe that in America, at least, a "hummer" hasn't been popular lingo in like 20+ years. Millenials and Gen Z haven't used that term...although it still exists, i don't think people use that phrase as much.

[@Hermititis]

Yeah, and even then it's context-specific. I know peopñe who've used it to mean the car or a blow job, in different scenarios.

[@Milamberinx]

So that would have been entirely appropriate for a character played by Michael Sheen then, right?

[@shannoncopeland4506]

I'm Gen X and I don't recall it being used in my generation either.

[@BlueRoseFaery]

I figured it was more a regional thing than a generational thing

[@mrjones2721]

@@shannoncopeland4506 Same. Though if the term came back, I’d think it was hilarious, because men who drive hummers are clearly compensating for something.

[@duckwithbread07]

Michaels face when joe lycett said that gets me every time 😂😂

[@deli5194]

that his embarrassed smile. when he geniunely laughs its different

[@russellthorburn9297]

I've never heard the word "hummer" used in any other fashion than to describe a giant gas guzzling vehicle or someone who sings but doesn't know the words.

[@puckerings]

It predates the vehicle. Not a very common usage, but definitely been around for some time.

[@no_peace]

I remember it from the 90s when i was a teenager so I'm guessing it's older than that

[@bubbadano1508]

It's more than a BJ. The person giving it HUMS! Hence the term "Hummer".

[@1dkappe]

If you were around tech sales people in the late 90’s, early 2000’s, you definitely would have heard that term.

[@furrymonkeything]

😂😂 " someone who sings but doesn't know the words"

[@rebzmcw]

OBSESSED with Cush Jumbos entire look... the hair, the face the dress are all EVERYTHING 💖

[@PanglossDr]

She is beautiful

[@bettysmith4641]

Michael Sheen looking good with that blonde hair ♥️

[@butterflymoon6368]

looks like the bloke from trainspotting

[@needamuffin]

*blond

[@thejobbernowl]

Somehow I just knew when this reveal came up as an American thing I would have never heard of it despite being American.

[@joannesmith2484]

I'm shocked at all the Americans on here who never heard of the word "hummer" used as what's described in this clip. This word was around, and in reasonably common use (for a "dirty" word) long before the SUV showed up - at least where I live in the Northeastern USA. I guess the vehicle name overtook the original meaning of the word. You probably need to be above a certain age, and I'm closing in on retirement age, to have ever heard it used in its original context; which makes sense since there are expressions younger generations use that leave me completely bewildered. Slang is always evolving.

[@kevinschultz6091]

It might also be a regional thing - I'm 46 and from Washington, and the only reason I even knew it was a reference to anything other than the vehicle was through television shows set in New York - and I honestly don't recall if it was something like Sienfeld or Will&Grace (making an extended conversational joke about it), or else an undercover cop show, or something - but I'm pretty sure that's the only context I've ever heard it in. Other than that? Yeah, it's the SUV.

[@fairycat23]

For your data set: 25 years old, Mid-Atlantic region, and today I learned the big ugly car shares a name for a BJ where the person hums.

[@lizhutchinson6978]

I'm an older millenial from the PNW and we definitely used hummer for bj.

[@bradevans5566]

From the US SW and hummer was the common slang for bj in the 70s.

[@Telstar62a]

I think it kind of evolved (quickly) from "hum-job"; "hummer" was just easier and quicker off the tongue (so to speak). And then the big useless Jeep-type thing came along and people had even more fun with it.

[@billyeveryteen7328]

As an American, I guessed from the context that it was probably a sexual act, but if I hear the word "Hummer," I assume it's that ridiculously large SUV.

[@mrmxyzptlk322]

Joe Lycett came out of absolutely nowhere in this clip 😂🤣

[@cindyharrington5958]

I miss Michael in Prodigal Son. Still mad it was canceled.

[@LouisaWordsIWriteCrazy]

Same! That ending of the last episode was just evil!

[@jameslevy8347]

Agreed. With it being cancelled and filming Good Omens Season 2 he might be the next Doctor in Doctor Who.

[@matthewlacey4198]

@@jameslevy8347 god I hope so, absolute dream cast

[@mortimerbrewster3671]

Networks' habit of cancelling great shows is why I watched less of them over the years. By the time Prodigal Son ended it was the last TV show I watched and they cancelled it, fortifying my reason to never watch a regular TV show anymore. I only stream shows that have played out their full run. No new shows. If everyone started doing that, Hollywood's matrix for keeping shows would have to change.

[@jameslevy8347]

@@mortimerbrewster3671 I hate cliffhanger endings when great tv series get cancelled. It's not fair.

[@JennFaeAge]

I'm so used to her on The Good Fight that when she turned up in a British detective show (obviously using her natural accent) it genuinely confused me for a moment

[@thepoormansguidetothegalax3981]

I had the same with Hugh Dancy. I saw him in Hannibal, where he plays an American, and was so confused by the bloopers where he switches over to his English accent 😂

[@kilroy2517]

A hummer is more of a joke term that originated (as far as I know) to mean when the giving participant of the sexual act literally hums while performing the act, so it's not a widely used term, and would be more prevalent among younger people where the term became diluted to be more generalized. I think it was mentioned a couple times in the Deadpool movies.

[@es_jul1021]

If you put me (a German) into this Conversation, a "Hummer" is actually a lobster in German xD

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

from the French homard

[@EvelynBaron]

Michael Sheen is a consummate actor and a thoroughly nice guy and I applaud his activism re: his cherished roots. Wales and no I am not his mother. thx Michael!

[@elfdream2007]

A Hummer is also a big gas guzzling oversized half SUV half military jeep vehicle. Never heard it used in the other context.

[@HeatherHotcakes]

Cush is gorgeous!!

[@braidonbowman320]

Can we just appreciate the fact that we have Tyrion Lannister and Lucian in the Same room at the same time. The epic levels are through the roof haha

[@francine4651]

I love Michael sheen 💕🤗

[@potterpotty01]

Literally thought they were talking about the big 4x4.

[@DennisMoore664]

It's one of those words from the 60's like "groovy" and "far out" that generally doesn't get used anymore except by linguistic weirdos and prolifically foul-mouthed folk like myself. I thought it was a British slang we'd brought over, but I guess it was made in the USA.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

I had no idea a hummer was anything other than the civilian version of the Humvee

[@dusteverywhere2665]

i love cush and michael in their blonde hair 💖💖💖😩

[@jameslevy8347]

I hope Michael Sheen will be the next Doctor in Doctor Who.

[@WardNightstone]

they are sayng it's looking like a second woman wich IMHO is a good thing cause it makes Jodie not a one off

[@jameslevy8347]

@@WardNightstone Who's saying that? If it has to be another woman it should be Keeley Hawes.

[@jackinahandcart]

partly just cos it would wind up David Tennant lmao

[@snowflakeedits05]

@@jackinahandcart Honestly, I would want Michael to be the next doctor to piss off David as well XD

[@graceygrumble]

He would be perfect... but, a tad expensive. Unless, as someone else has suggested, he felt it was worth it, just to tick off Ten - nant! However, DT is so lovely, he would probably enjoy the idea. So, incredibly, incredibly unlikely.

[@iambiggus]

Peter Dinklage always looks like he just rolled out of bed. 😁

[@mals86]

but in a good way.

[@Ceares]

insert really filthy thirst comment here

[@justincoleman3805]

He could really hurt himself.

[@craigelkin53]

Sheen looks like he's ready to play a role as Simon pegg

[@captainteeko4579]

Ppl did confuse him as Simon pegg for a bit lol but this was cuz he was filming good omens where he plays the angel Aziraphale

[@jessthecactus]

Reminding me how badly I want GOmens 2 to be here already ❤️😭

[@tartfuel]

And now it is.

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

I haven't heard hummer used in that way since I graduated from college in the 90s. I'd actually forgotten that slang until right now.

[@Dushva]

Yeah.. in popular American Lingo: A "hummer" is an oversized SUV that, at this current point in our fuel economy, only really serves the point of being a meme for the civilian population.

[@baconfromhell666]

That's not american lingo, that's literally what it's called.

[@PM2024-]

Gotta say, I watched every episode of the Good Wife - had NO idea idea she was a Brit!!! 🇬🇧

[@Claire2O]

I get so excited when i see micheal with white hair becaus it mean good omens is coming!

[@christopheraaron1255]

A hummer is a Hum-Vee.

[@AnimalStomper]

The only hummers I know come directly out of my wretched arse!

[@WardNightstone]

it's also what rhe civilian model of the HV1 "humVee" was called (those Jeep like Trucks the US army uses youve seen em in footage on the news i'm sure) and yes ALLL the jokes were made

[@sarasolomon4812]

Please tell me Michael Sheen's hair is white for the second season of Good Omens!

[@ingdanify]

It is! David got his red hear aswell. It's brilliant❤ Can't wait to see what's in store

[@merrymermaid]

THATS WHAT I THOUGHT TOO!!!! argh i am so excited now😭😭

[@captainteeko4579]

When Michael has that hair I don’t see Michael sheen I only see Aziraphale 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Ink364]

I grew up in the States and I always thought a hummer was a car. This is new to me.

[@maximcypher3109]

grew up in the 90s,(teen), def still heard that word as slang for bj..I don't know what decade it became slang(70s??) but heard it knew what is meant in that context.

[@TheRealSnowCat]

Differences in language usage can be funny the other way, as well. For example, the British phrase, "I knocked you up, but you weren't there" is a physical impossibility in American vernacular.

[@john.premose]

No it's not

[@harveythepooka]

I haven't heard hummer used that way basically since hummer dealerships popped up. But I think someone demanding a "9 a.m. hummer," would compute to most people.

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

Who else is stuck in the never ending loop of The Graham Norton show 👀

[@Druuna55]

at least once a week lol

[@garypatterson9179]

He's a fantastic interviewer and that's why this show has been a hit for 20 yrs. He's a multi millionaire and rightly so. Just hope he doesn't retire as he was thinking about it. But in all honestly, I'd retire if I had his money. The UK love Graham Norton so hopefully he doesn't retire. We'd all miss his quick wit .

[@caseycampbell7975]

WHY?

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

@@caseycampbell7975 Who else is stuck in the never ending loop of The Graham Norton show 👀

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

@@caseycampbell7975 Who else is stuck in the never ending loop of The Graham Norton show 👀

[@waynenubile5]

I grew up in Alaska and we used the word "hummer" back in the 90's. I think it might be a West Coast thing but I haven't heard the term since the 90's.

[@nivekian]

Hummer is why Humvees got laughter, then people just rolled with it.

[@thecaptainsnark]

never heard of a hummer in that context. Am an american.

[@Harrietmjones]

Brit here, never heard of the word hummer to be anything but the vehicle or a very bad (but impressive) fart/poo.

[@PrestonMaxey]

I don't think I've heard that word since the 90s

[@anaperez5442]

That's strange. I've never heard the word "hummer" used to describe anything but a civilian version of a military vehicle.

[@JnEricsonx]

28-Peter with the flipside! :)

[@jefbowles7745]

I'm from America and I didn't know what a hummer was bless your gingerbread hearts 🌻🎃🌻🎃🌻🎃

[@kana7613]

I have never heard of a “hummer” besides the car 🚙

[@elimgarak7090]

And when I moved to Britain it was shocking when someone casually asked me for a rubber. It's an eraser.

[@stephenadkins616]

Confirmed. As a veteran I can say my buddies and I used this term alot.

[@HelenS.739]

I thought a hummer was a vehicle, I guess I was wrong. Learn something new every day. Only if you humming then as you give a gift 👍👍👍👍

[@funkycacahuete2933]

As an American I’ve never heard a hummer used in that context

[@L.C.Sweeney]

As a non-American who's never been to America I knew that hummer meant thatv

[@abrakedavra9605]

She's hilarious!

[@alynnewenglnd]

Great guest line up

[@petejano5043]

OMFG is that Lucca Quinn? 💕💕💕💕

[@marksummers666]

christ, whoever does the leg oiling on this show deserves a raise

[@frednewman6490]

Cush really hazed Michael Sheen in this segment

[@just_resa]

"Hummer" is also the german word for "lobster"...

[@charliephilip6864]

I'm American and i thought it was a type of car.

[@tezzingtonsir28]

I'm a Brit and knew what it meant. Context!

[@vladymyriq102510]

Same, lol

[@greyLeicester]

Language barrier indeed, as a Spaniard all I heard was a 'hammer'. Good lord 😳

[@goattm2]

I can guarantee you Sheen doesn't see himself as a Brit. That's why he sent his OBE back after he read up on Welsh history.

[@kills26]

Well he is a Brit whether or not he choses to be. The Island is called Britain, so... not much you can do about that I've only been to Wales a handful of times, but the last time was well over 20 years ago, I rocked up late to this bed and breakfast above a pub and was told sorry, no rooms. I was like but I booked, response sorry there are no rooms, you have to be here by 9pm to check in. Me oh... okay is there anywhere else nearby (before sat nav, google on phones) start talking more to people in the bar... next thing, OH your are Scottish! oh you can have a room, we just don't give the bloody English rooms if they come in late. Me 🤗😶🤔kinda racist bro, didn't actually say that I wanted the room.

[@haptik_dj]

why still so sour? let bygones be bygones.

[@kills26]

@@haptik_dj That was just one guy and an extreme example. Personally I think Britain should be a Federal Republic split in to 8 or 9 regions. Ideally that would include the Republic of Ireland and be 11 regions. But my ideal is never! happening.

[@TheHungryTrollRawr]

TBH I thought many Scots felt like this about the English also?@@kills26

[@gauravvikalp]

Peter Dinklage is so funny!

[@JBFJBFJBF]

American here, absolutely have never heard hummer meaning anything other than the car

[@SophietheValiant]

Oh my gosh, I thought she was talking about the huge car or a hammer for building things. 😅

[@furrymonkeything]

That was a straight up funny and good story 😅

[@jenn_era]

lol I remember hearing that slang on KROQ around mid/late-90s as a way for the DJs (and Loveline) to get around the censor. Back then the auto vehicle was mostly for military.

[@SquidandCatAdventures]

It could also refer to a hummingbird. Need to find the rest of this episode just for Joe Lycett piping up, lol.

[@ricklaporte8052]

As an American I've always known that a Hummer is a BJ. Really? No one has ever heard of that in the US

[@dmlevitt]

celebrities are such real people. BS self promotion machines.

[@MarielikestoCrochet]

I have NEVER heard of a hummer

[@lasagnahog7695]

I love joe lycett

[@connell8]

I was wondering why no one in the crowd was giggling 😂 the gasp was v telling! I mean, we obviously have the Hummer that is the SUV but I’m surprised by so many comments saying that they’ve never heard the slang term - come on now!

[@Zagadka42]

I maintain there are three variants on the language: English, Bad English, and American.

[@MrAndyStenz]

Joe 😂😂😂😂😂

[@f_d7497]

I’m American and I’ve never heard anyone refer to a blow job as a hummer. A hummer is like a big car that makes a lot of noise.

[@Sketchcook81]

That's kind of a simplified explanation, a "hummer" is specifically when the partner performing said act hums while doing so, hence the term.

[@ThatOneTeen288]

0:58 "nasty,Dirty, Perverted, Evil" Michael with white hair: Me: "not the soft angel how dare you :("

[@openup5643]

I love miachel sheen

[@WhiteHawk77]

First time I’ve ever heard the word where it isn’t just another way of saying Humvee.

[@louisle2606]

And in Germany a Hummer is a lobster ahahaha

[@Asa...S]

In Swedish too!

[@wunnell]

Rose Leslie was on The Good Fight too, so it was a British invasion. I thought they all did quite good accents, but I wonder what Americans generally thought. Michael Sheen's voice was unrecognisable.

[@mahsa065]

Don't forget Mathew Goode :)

[@wunnell]

@@mahsa065 , he was in The Good Wife but, as far as I'm aware, not The Good Fight.

[@harry7237]

It was supposed to be unrecognisable. His character was a person with street smarts and cut throat determination from nowhere who clawed his way up. Michael sheen can do a good American accent though.

[@tartfuel]

He patterned his character after the lawyer and all-around A-hole, Roy Cohn.

[@loonylauren4997]

Never heard of that term if I watched this scene I would think he is talking about a car

[@felixccaa]

great example - there should be more movies like the "51st State"

[@gaylebynumcardosa7034]

American here. Yes, that's what a hummer is. In spite of the Americans here that haven't heard it. I guess they're naive or young or...I don't know what. I've never used the term (because it's not something I talk about) but I've always known what it meant. I'm in my early 50's.

[@fairycat23]

Judging from the rest of the comments, I think it's a generational thing.

[@anilsinghkumaunivlog]

Nice video 😊😊😊

[@vibratingaught3656]

As a non-native speaker, I would’ve handed them a hammer 🔨🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kodyeldridge5847]

I'm American through and through and I've never heard a BJ referred to as a "hummer" XD

[@blenderpanzi]

And in German Hummer means lobster.

[@PichDextro]

Ok as a German I seriously thought this was about lobster... Language is weird.

[@irishka_zolotse]

Каждый раз узнаешь что то новенькое!

[@nerdiwolverine]

I'm American and I didn't know a hummer meant sonething other than a car

[@Vortex-gz8se]

I'm an American and I knew hummer was slang for a BJ. That is why it always surprised me they named the vehicle a Hummer. I have always wondered how it made it through a name review by the marketing department.

[@pimpinguru]

I always figured it made it through because of it. That vehicle hit the mass market when tons of dick jokes in relation to car type driven were the norm.

[@higgme1ster]

@@pimpinguru LOL, like "What's the difference between a BMW and a porcupine?"

[@keefsmiff]

He looks like a photo negative 😂

[@benjaminhartmann4522]

In Germany a hummer is a lobster. Quite delicious.

[@lindsayantwine1097]

When Peter goes, "Why is that weird?" 😆 Also, the Brits didn't know a hummer is a bj?? 😂

[@Critter145]

All breathing the same air, but an arbitrary distance will save you. These times will be mocked in years to come.