I thought I spoke English, Part 2

When we first moved here a little over two years ago, the first entry I wrote in this Blog was "I thought I spoke English".  I mentioned some English words and phrases that I wasn't at all familiar with.  Since then, I've discovered a multitude of English words or phrases that have never made it into my American vocabulary.  Some of these I've learned by asking for the definition.  Other times I've learned by hazarding the wrong guess and making quite a fool of myself.

Case in point:  Pants, in English, mean underwear.  In England trousers are what Americans call pants. Recently I attended a church meeting for women one Saturday night and I wore trousers.  I was the only one there not wearing a skirt.  I felt a bit sheepish not having dressed properly and apologized to the women by telling them that I'm sorry for wearing pants (underwear) and that next time I wouldn't. The women laughed, the few men there turned bright red, and I was quickly told that I should always were pants and it was OK too that I was wearing trousers.  Oops! I learned that one the hard way.  I won't make that mistake twice.

So, how well do you know English (not American)?  Match up these common words and phrases with the correct definition.  The answers may surprise you. They are listed below.

1. Fly Tipping                A. steamed suet pudding with dried currents  and served with custard
2. Marigolds                  B. Band-Aid    
3. Blinkered                   C.   a difficult situation 
4. Pop your clogs          D.  "there you go" or "it's that simple"  
5. Kip                             E.   period
6. Waffle                         F. to talk on and on about nothing. 
7. Banger                       G.  a nap

8. Bob's your uncles       H. narrow minded

9. Bubble and Squeak     I. a dumpster

10. Travelers                   J.  a road crossing over another road (overpass)

11. Flyover                      K.  sneakers 

12. Full stop                    L. to die     

13. Identity parade         M. dish often made from the remains of the Sunday roast trimmings

14. Plaster                      N. the act of dumping waste or trash illegally

15. Rocket                      O.  a four door car (i.e. sedan)

16. Saloon                      P. Gypsies

17. Skip                          Q. green vegetable used in salads and sandwiches (arugula)

18. Spotted dick             R. a sausage 

19. Sticky wicket            S. Police line-up

20: Trainers                    T. rubber gloves

 

Answers:

1. Fly Tipping = (N) the act of dumping waste or trash illegally
2. Marigolds  = (T) yellow rubber gloves
3. Blinkered =  (H) narrow minded
4. Pop your clogs = (L) to die (It's not the same since poor old Harry popped his clogs.)
5. Kip  =  (G) a nap
6. Waffle =  (F) to talk on and on about nothing. (It is not something you eat. Americans often think that Brits waffle on about the weather) 

7. Banger =  (R) a sausage (from the tendency of sausages to burst during frying)
8. Bob's your uncle = (D) "there you go" or "it's that simple"
9. Bubble and Squeak =  (M) dish of cooked cabbage fried with cooked potatoes and other vegetables. Often made from the left-overs of the Sunday roast trimmings

10. Travelers = (P) Gypsies
11. Flyover =  (J) a road crossing over another road (overpass)
12. Full stop = (E) period (Full stop at the end of a sentence)
13. Identity parade = (S) police line-up
14. Plaster = (B) Band-Aid
15. Rocket = (Q)  green vegetable used in salads and sandwiches, (arugula)
16. Saloon = (O) a four door car (sedan)
17. Skip = (I) dumpster
18. Spotted dick =  (A) a steamed suet pudding containing currents and served with custard.
19. Sticky wicket = (C) a difficult situation
20: Trainers =  (K) sneakers

Has watching Downton Abbey and Sherlock rubbed off on you?  How well do you speak English? I'd love to hear how well you did. Let me know.