This Is Only For Americans.....

by Englishman 25 Replies latest jw friends

  • Englishman
    Englishman

    ...who intend to visit the UK.

    Reproduced from: http://www.jomiller.com/guide/

    Vocabulary

    The Brits have peculiar words for many things. Money is referred to as "goolies" in slang, so you should for instance say "I'd love to come to the pub but I haven't got any goolies." "Quid" is the modern word for what was once called a "shilling" -- the equivalent of seventeen cents American. Underpants are called "wellies" and friends are called "tossers." If you are fond of someone, you should tell him he is a "great tosser" -- he will be touched. The English are a notoriously demonstrative, tactile people, and if you want to fit in you should hold hands with your acquaintances and tossers when you walk down the street. Public nuzzling and licking are also encouraged, but only between people of the same sex.

    Habits

    Ever since their Tory government wholeheartedly embraced full union with Europe, the Brits have been attempting to adopt certain continental customs, such as the large midday meal followed by a two- or three-hour siesta , which they call a "wank." As this is still a fairly new practice in Britain, it is not uncommon for people to oversleep (alarm clocks, alas, do not work there due to the magnetic pull from Greenwich). If you are late for supper, simply apologize and explain that you were having a wank -- everyone will understand and forgive you.

    Universities

    University archives and manuscript collections are still governed by quaint medieval rules retained out of respect for tradition; hence patrons are expected to bring to the reading rooms their own ink-pots and a small knife for sharpening their pens. Observing these customs will signal the librarians that you are "in the know" -- one of the inner circle, as it were, for the rules are unwritten and not posted anywhere in the library. Likewise, it is customary to kiss the librarian on both cheeks when he brings a manuscript you've requested, a practice dating back to the reign of Henry VI.
    One of the most delighful ways to spend an afternoon in Oxford or Cambridge is gliding gently down the river in one of their flat-bottomed boats, which you propel using a long pole. This is known as "cottaging." Many of the boats (called "yer-I-nals") are privately owned by the colleges, but there are some places that rent them to the public by the hour. Just tell a professor or policeman that you are interested in doing some cottaging and would like to know where the public yerinals are. The poles must be treated with vegetable oil to protect them from the water, so it's a good idea to buy a can of Crisco and have it on you when you ask directions to the yerinals. That way people will know you are an experienced cottager.

    Food

    British cuisine enjoys a well deserved reputation as the most sublime gastronomic pleasure available to man. Thanks to today's robust dollar, the American traveller can easily afford to dine out several times a week (rest assured that a British meal is worth interrupting your afternoon wank for). Few foreigners are aware that there are several grades of meat in the UK. The best cuts of meat, like the best bottles of gin, bear Her Majesty's seal, called the British Stamp of Excellence (BSE). When you go to a fine restaurant, tell your waiter you want BSE beef and won't settle for anything less. If he balks at your request, custom dictates that you jerk your head imperiously back and forth while rolling your eyes to show him who is boss. Once the waiter realizes you are a person of discriminating taste, he may offer to let you peruse the restaurant's list of exquisite British wines. If he doesn't, you should order one anyway. The best wine grapes grow on the steep, chalky hillsides of Yorkshire and East Anglia -- try an Ely '84 or Ripon '88 for a rare treat indeed. When the bill for your meal comes it will show a suggested amount. Pay whatever you think is fair, unless you plan to dine there again, in which case you should simply walk out; the restaurant host will understand that he should run a tab for you.

    Transportation

    Public taxis are subsidized by the Her Majesty's Government. A taxi ride in London costs two pounds, no matter how far you travel. If a taxi driver tries to overcharge you, you should yell "I think not, you charlatan!", then grab the nearest bobby and have the driver arrested. It is rarely necessary to take a taxi, though, since bus drivers are required to make detours at patrons' requests. Just board any bus, pay your fare of thruppence (the heavy gold-colored coins are "pence"), and state your destination clearly to the driver, e.g.: "Please take me to the British Library." A driver will frequently try to have a bit of harmless fun by pretending he doesn't go to your requested destination. Ignore him, as he is only teasing the American tourist (little does he know you're not so ignorant!).

    Speaking of the British Library, you should know that it has recently moved to a new location at Kew. Kew is a small fishing village in Wales. It can be reached by taking the train to Cardiff; once there, ask any local about the complimentary shuttle bus to Kew. (Don't forget that buses are called "prams" in England, and trains are called "bumbershoots"--it's a little confusing at first. Motorcycles are called "lorries" and the hospital, for reasons unknown, is called the "off-license." It's also very important to know that a "doctor" only means a PhD in England, not a physician. If you want a physician, you must ask for an "MP" (which stands for "master physician").

    For those travelling on a shoestring budget, the London Tube may be the most economical way to get about, especially if you are a woman. Chivalry is alive and well in Britain, and ladies still travel for free on the Tube. Simply take some tokens from the baskets at the base of the escalators or on the platforms; you will find one near any of the state-sponsored Tube musicians. Once on the platform, though, beware! Approaching trains sometimes disurb the large Gappe bats that roost in the tunnels. The Gappes were smuggled into London in the early 19th century by French saboteurs and have proved impossible to exterminate. The announcement "Mind the Gappe!" is a signal that you should grab your hair and look towards the ceiling. Very few people have ever been killed by Gappes, though, and they are considered only a minor drawback to an otherwise excellent means of transportation. (If you have difficulty locating the Tube station, merely follow the signs that say "Subway" and ask one of the full-time attendants where you can catch the bumbershoot.)

    One final note: for preferential treatment when you arrive at Heathrow airport, announce that you are a member of Shin Fane (an international Jewish peace organization -- the "shin" stands for "shalom"). As savvy travellers know, this little white lie will assure you priority treatment as you make your way through customs; otherwise you could waste all day in line. You might, in fact, want to ask a customs agent to put a Shin Fane stamp in your passport, as it will expedite things on your return trip.

    Bollocks to your mum! ("farewell and good health to your family")

    Hope this was helpful.

    Englishman.

  • COMF
    COMF

    Shame on you, E. I can already see poor Lilacs standing in the station, holding her hair and looking out for gappes.

    Ah, love! could you and I with Him conspire
    To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire,
    Would not we shatter it to bits--and then
    Re-mould it nearer to the heart's desire!

  • invisible
    invisible

    Englishman. I have rarely seen a more expedient and eloquently styled advice for American travellers here.

    So many times, I have seen these people in queus when, if they understood the unseen lingo to full effect, much time might be saved and conflict along the way.

    May many here take the opportunity next time they visit the UK to use as many of these 'passports' as possible. It'll certainly ease their passage into adapting to British society. Well done!! Excellent post.

    Celtic

  • D8TA
    D8TA

    Oooh man. I tell ya, U.S. and England seperated with a common language. I had an English associate of mine in a class. I was having trouble with an assignment, and was sporting a frown on my face. He walks up and says; "Hey, keep your pecker up". With his translation of pecker meaning my chin. Other words, keep your head up, have a positive outlook. Either way, I couldn't stop laughing for 10 mins. Pecker in U.S. english is well...how do I put this...a guys errr...YOU KNOW! Third leg. *cough* anyway...*cough*, it sure put a smile on my face.

    D8TA

  • Amazing
    Amazing

    Hark at the Wind, E-Man! This is great, a real keeper. I could not stop laughing just in the first section. Here is a small translation for the Brits:

    1. Money is referred to as "goolies" in slang, so you should for instance say "I'd love to come to the pub but I haven't got any goolies."

    Americans call it 'mullah', cash, green stuff, green backs, or refer to specific notes by the name of the President on it, such as saying that 'Jackson is buying me lunch.' meaning that I am spending $20 bucks, and a host nof other cool names.

    2."Quid" is the modern word for what was once called a "shilling" -- the equivalent of seventeen cents American.

    Americans call our quarters 'two-bits' for 25 cent coins.

    3. Underpants are called "wellies"

    We call tham 'panties' for women, and 'shorts' or 'briefs' for men.

    4. and friends are called "tossers."

    We call our friends by all sorts of names, from 'Buddy' or 'Bud' to almost anything. In the south western USA, we even called our friends, old sons-a-bitches.

    5. If you are fond of someone, you should tell him he is a "great tosser" -- he will be touched. The English are a notoriously demonstrative, tactile people, and if you want to fit in you should hold hands with your acquaintances and tossers when you walk down the street. Public nuzzling and licking are also encouraged, but only between people of the same sex.

    Nope, won't work here ... because two men licking and holding hands are thought of as Gay. But we men do shake hands, and men who are close friends or brothers will hug, but a manly bear type hug, nothing touchy-feely mind you.

    Thanks E-man, I greatly enjoyed your post, and I love to hear about British culture ... make me miss my castle.

  • invisible
    invisible

    D8TA - Your dick? (pecker)

  • AlanF
    AlanF

    Englishman, you're a wanker.

    AlanF

  • tdogg
    tdogg

    I just had myself a good wank as a matter of fact.

  • og
    og

    Brilliant E-man, the funniest thing I've read in weeks. Well, I'm off to apply some Crisco to my cottaging pole.

    "Belief is the death of intelligence." R.A. Wilson

  • Simon
    Simon

    Spot on Eman ... lol

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