Location specific language

Think Texas would definitely claim y’all over other southern states.

R O F L!!! That has got to be the most hilarious thing I think I’ve read so far! That almost needs to be pinned to the top :joy: :rofl:

Edit: I literally laugh out loud EVERY time I read it! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Bro, you’ve outdone yourself :rofl:

Edit2: Is there a “best quotes” thread somewhere? This is seriously a MUST if there is.

Edit3: I’m actually saving this link for if I ever have a super down or depressing day

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Would have to disagree, don’t think Popeye’s turn out anything that is edible - other half used to have the popcorn shrimp - which I guess in English translates as minute bits of something that might once have gone somewhere near the water covered in a lot of batter/breadcrumbs?

Now IHop is a different matter especially if on a road trip or at the end of a long night.

I got to the point where I can not remember how to pronounce ‘oregano’ in English so generally I pronounce it the American way. I take the piss (there is one for you @anon8189768 ) by saying ‘erbs’ rather than herbs. It was one of the first things that used to ‘crack me up’ about American TV adverts - ‘erbs and spices’

Yeah, the ‘h’ is definitely silent here in the US. Funny because I just corrected my son on how to properly pronounce it a few weeks ago. He was pronouncing the ‘h’.

Not to be nit-picky, and not sure if it’s a typo but the US would say “take a piss” instad of “take the piss”. Though I wouldn’t personally use that as it’s a bit crass for my taste.

In my mind I would maybe compare that to using the word “bloody”. As I’ve come to hopefully understand, “bloody” isn’t a full on curse/cuss word but it’s moreso than regular words.

If my kids ever said “take a piss” I’d correct them and tell them not to say it.

I also don’t use foul language, least not in front of others, in real life. I get all that out here on the forums. And here I don’t even use it loosely. Mostly when I really want to emphasize something.

‘take the piss’ - making (matter of opinion) a joke at someone else’s expense.

And ‘taking the piss’ is not something I would say to my child, the more appropriate expression might be ‘Are you pulling my leg?’

And the use of the word ‘bloody’ I always find amusing when used by non-UK people. A Scandinavian work colleague would use it in every other sentence when we were down the pub because he thought it was how it was used.

Then you get groups of kids who use ‘f**king’ as every other word in a sentence

If I started in with broad Yorkshire you would be totally lost. @anon8189768

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@anon8189768 , Yorkshire is the English equivalent of Texas (forgive me Cornwall).

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I probably would. I struggle enough with the few US/UK word/phrase meaning gaps. I just recently found out that “Are you having a laugh?” means WTF. I the context I read it I thought I was being questioned on if I was mocking someone’s trauma. I though, “of course I wouldn’t laugh at that”.

Crazy how that small phrase made such a huge impact at the time. Though it was one of 2-3 combined misinterpretations so things got kinda ugly fast :grimacing:

The first time I saw WTF I had to google it and as I understand it is short for ‘What the F**k’ which is completely different.

If some drunk comes up to you at 11pm in a pub and says ‘Are you having a laugh’ then the situation needs to be defused or aggro will ensue (look up aggro). If a work colleague or partner (as long as steam isn’t coming out of their head) says it then you might still keep your dangly bits and it could be banter.

Hmm… so maybe WTF isn’t the most accurate translation of “are you having a laugh?”. But looking at the very specific context of that specific conversation, I think the two have a near exact synonymous meaning.

There are many situations in the US when WTF is uesd. Here are some off the top of my head:

  1. When something crazy/unexpected/unbelievable happens: Maybe a car blows through a red light and hits a pedestrain. Or maybe Jason Voorhees (horror movie super villian) appears in your bedroom at night. Someone seeing either might exclaim, "Oh WTF?!?!

  2. Over-use in regular conversation: A friend is telling his latest fast-food experience: “…and they didn’t even give me ketchup for my fries so I had to turn around, go back, and ask them for some.” The listener might offer a sympathetic but unemotional “Oh, WTF man?”

  3. Angry at someone to the point where a physical atleration may occur: Guy A sees Guy B flirting with his gf at the club. He might walk up to that Guy B and ask, “Hey WTF man?” Guy B should probably walk away (even if he legit didn’t know she was spoken for).

  4. A way to cause one to really think about a situation: “I can’t believe you borrowed my car without asking. Seriously, WTF?” The person listening in this scenario either may not realize there’s an offense against the speaker, or may be pretending they don’t, or straight up denying it.
    -The “WTF” is the cherry on top of this conversation that informs the listener that they have definitely offended the speaker, and that it should be obvious what it is, and also expresses “I can’t believe you would actually do that”

  5. A sympathetic expression regarding a negative life event: “I found out my SO/OH is cheating on me.” or “My brother died yesterday.” The listener might respond with, “oh WTF??” This would simultaneously communicate “I’m so sorry to hear that” as well as “That’s a really messed up/awful situation”

That’s probably not everything but a good start anyway.

In any case, it’s good to tune in and pay attention when it’s said. Could save your life, save you from a beat down, or inform you that you’ve done something wrong if you happen to be clueless about a situation

This post was much longer than it probably needed to be, and also longer than I intended it to be lol

Going back to one of your earlier messages, WTF is something I would hope my child would never put in a message.

Along with LOL it is just an expression on social media that can be taken so many ways, some threatening, some puerile but (to me at my age) at no point should it be part of a conversation.

Saying ‘What the F**k’ to make someone really think about a situation seems to me to be the wrong approach.

Perhaps I need to go back to the Jurassic

@Mrs.John has just used a lovely Welsh one:

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I have a friend in the U.S trying to explain to him how its pronounced was brilliant “cootch”!? :joy:

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I have to admit, I’m not 100% sure on the pronunciation. :slightly_smiling_face: I’ll see if I can google it…

Edit: Yup. I did not know that. :slightly_smiling_face: I was mentally saying it as ‘quitch’

Sorry, should fill in what I found out. Apparently its ‘kuch’ to rhyme with ‘butch’

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@Ian_Chimp yes just like butch. I forget it’s a welsh thing sometimes.
I small comfy place can also be called “the cwtch”.

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In some old pubs they have a separate room called ‘the Snug’, which is smaller and more intimate than the main room (and the seats are closer to the fire). I love a good Snug. :slightly_smiling_face:

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I do this too!! I also say cilantro and scallions taking the piss and it’s more or less taken over the English words coriander and spring onions. (I watch a lot of cooking programmes) lol