A Note from London
Same Language, Different Meaning
Ethan Moore
Issue date: 2/11/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
My study abroad experience thus far has been quite enjoyable and exciting. I'm experiencing British culture in the academic setting of Oxford University, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Studying so far has gone quite smoothly. I am now able to speak English fluently (something I had yet to master at Hendrix), not without much help from my most trusted guidebook the Oxford English Dictionary. It has truly facilitated my cultural adaptation here in Britain. During my first week I was truly lost in the maze of robust English diction. Thanks to this work by the Oxford University Press I am not only able to decipher conversations, but participate.
Page 242 of the Oxford English Dictionary (my personal fav)
Bicycle- transportation method for all Brits that received coals for Christmas at least twice as children. Their resentment towards the inanimate Christmas figure, Santa Clause, as well as the Goldstein's who lived down the street results in the erecting of collective moving barricade Hamas couldn't penetrate.
Fancy- Reba McEntire's muse. Also the name of every female grocery cashier with roots, ten points if the tattoo is on her neck.
Bird-one of female persuasion. "I fancy the chubby bird with the fag."
Fag- cigarette typically encrusted in pink swarovski crystals. In the New World warning labels are placed on fag packages by the Southern Baptist Convention
Dodgy- one of two seasons in Britain. October 12- May 12
Chips- strips of deep fried potatoes congealed with beef gelatin and mass-produced by the Irish cafeterium McDonalds. Typically served with fried catfish and ranch.
Till- Cash registers typically found in church gift shops in which papal indulgences may be purchased. Indulgences may also be validated at tills.
Unfortunately the only conversations I've been having in Oxford are with my housemates from a Midwestern state I used to think was cool.
I don't know where I've gone wrong with the Brits. I speak when spoken to. I joke with the mailman to not "go postal" on me. I open my front door every morning as I hear my neighbor open his so I can shout a hilarious Monty Python quote (it's hard to catch him when he sprints). P.S. His car is like the size of my SUV's tires. To relate, I call every body of water a loo, and all my tutors "tarts." I ask to borrow mobiles just so I get to say "mow-bile." I ask for PBR just to say "gotcha" to the barmaids. What could I possibly be doing wrong? I love the Brits. I love George Michael, Madonna, Real Madrid, Elton John's boyfriend and The Office (the American version). This peninsula was simply made for GDS.
I will converse with a Brit one day, and on that day I will have my Oxford dictionary in hand. I will say just the right words. I will hug the Brit, sing to it, and invite it back home with me to live in an aquarium with Pagliacci, my gerbil. The Brit will faint at the sound of my accent embracing the language. Thank you Oxford University Press, thank you indeed.
Page 242 of the Oxford English Dictionary (my personal fav)
Bicycle- transportation method for all Brits that received coals for Christmas at least twice as children. Their resentment towards the inanimate Christmas figure, Santa Clause, as well as the Goldstein's who lived down the street results in the erecting of collective moving barricade Hamas couldn't penetrate.
Fancy- Reba McEntire's muse. Also the name of every female grocery cashier with roots, ten points if the tattoo is on her neck.
Bird-one of female persuasion. "I fancy the chubby bird with the fag."
Fag- cigarette typically encrusted in pink swarovski crystals. In the New World warning labels are placed on fag packages by the Southern Baptist Convention
Dodgy- one of two seasons in Britain. October 12- May 12
Chips- strips of deep fried potatoes congealed with beef gelatin and mass-produced by the Irish cafeterium McDonalds. Typically served with fried catfish and ranch.
Till- Cash registers typically found in church gift shops in which papal indulgences may be purchased. Indulgences may also be validated at tills.
Unfortunately the only conversations I've been having in Oxford are with my housemates from a Midwestern state I used to think was cool.
I don't know where I've gone wrong with the Brits. I speak when spoken to. I joke with the mailman to not "go postal" on me. I open my front door every morning as I hear my neighbor open his so I can shout a hilarious Monty Python quote (it's hard to catch him when he sprints). P.S. His car is like the size of my SUV's tires. To relate, I call every body of water a loo, and all my tutors "tarts." I ask to borrow mobiles just so I get to say "mow-bile." I ask for PBR just to say "gotcha" to the barmaids. What could I possibly be doing wrong? I love the Brits. I love George Michael, Madonna, Real Madrid, Elton John's boyfriend and The Office (the American version). This peninsula was simply made for GDS.
I will converse with a Brit one day, and on that day I will have my Oxford dictionary in hand. I will say just the right words. I will hug the Brit, sing to it, and invite it back home with me to live in an aquarium with Pagliacci, my gerbil. The Brit will faint at the sound of my accent embracing the language. Thank you Oxford University Press, thank you indeed.