Now that I've written "Of Bairns and Wheelie Bins: An American guide to what those British detectives are saying on the telly," I find myself watching episodes of some British mystery that I've newly discovered with occasional bursts of joy, thinking "I know what that means!!" It definitely helps to move the plot along when I don't have to scratch my head and wonder what just went on because I didn't know some of the lingo.
So play along with me, and test your "British to American" interpretive skills! Answers at the bottom, in tiny type...
1. Barney a) a big and annoying purple dinosaur b) a now defunct New York City luxury department store c) a heated argument d) Andy Griffith's sidekick in Mayberry
2. Chivvy a) a salad green b) a street game of cards c) a scrum of rugby players d) to prod someone to do something they don't want to
3. Grass a) marijuana b) the green stuff in a lawn c) a picnic d) to snitch
4. Kip a) a pickled herring b) the stuff you bring to the gym c) a children's game d) sleep
5. Shopped a) went bargain hunting b) sold at a rummage sale c) discarded d) informed on to the police
6. Clobber a) something Moe, Larry and Curly did a lot of in the Three Stooges b) a clotted cream that goes well with strawberry tarts c) an internet dating profile d) a collection of personal stuff
7. Twigged a) went bird watching b) a muscle cramp c) had a flash of understanding d) stood up a date
8. Skinful a) a leather bota bag b) a wine bottle c) a blistering argument d) enough alcohol to get you drunk
9. Caravan a) a truck convoy b) to travel together while hiking c) a gypsy wagon d) an RV
10. Grafter a) a grifter b) someone who works very hard c) a tree surgeon d) a surgeon that does heart transplants
11. Bespoke a) engaged to be married b) the last round in a debate c) custom tailored d) offer accepted on a house
Answers: 1.C; 2.D; 3.D; 4.D; 5.D; 6.D; 7.C; 8.D; 9.D; 10.B, 11.C
So play along with me, and test your "British to American" interpretive skills! Answers at the bottom, in tiny type...
1. Barney a) a big and annoying purple dinosaur b) a now defunct New York City luxury department store c) a heated argument d) Andy Griffith's sidekick in Mayberry
2. Chivvy a) a salad green b) a street game of cards c) a scrum of rugby players d) to prod someone to do something they don't want to
3. Grass a) marijuana b) the green stuff in a lawn c) a picnic d) to snitch
4. Kip a) a pickled herring b) the stuff you bring to the gym c) a children's game d) sleep
5. Shopped a) went bargain hunting b) sold at a rummage sale c) discarded d) informed on to the police
6. Clobber a) something Moe, Larry and Curly did a lot of in the Three Stooges b) a clotted cream that goes well with strawberry tarts c) an internet dating profile d) a collection of personal stuff
7. Twigged a) went bird watching b) a muscle cramp c) had a flash of understanding d) stood up a date
8. Skinful a) a leather bota bag b) a wine bottle c) a blistering argument d) enough alcohol to get you drunk
9. Caravan a) a truck convoy b) to travel together while hiking c) a gypsy wagon d) an RV
10. Grafter a) a grifter b) someone who works very hard c) a tree surgeon d) a surgeon that does heart transplants
11. Bespoke a) engaged to be married b) the last round in a debate c) custom tailored d) offer accepted on a house
Answers: 1.C; 2.D; 3.D; 4.D; 5.D; 6.D; 7.C; 8.D; 9.D; 10.B, 11.C
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