Prompt Proofing Blogs: Colourful English from Around the Globe

    VANCOUVER, BC, August 30, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What we say, just as much as the accent with which we say it, often betrays our origins - be it a particular country or even a specific region in that country. Regional, national and - yes - generational differences mean that English-speaking people, in North America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK or elsewhere, use a variety of colourful expressions that may not be widely understood outside of their home country, province/state or even town. Some are amusing, some fascinating.

As a British-born transplant to Canada, I have made an effort to adapt my vocabulary accordingly. I use a 'washroom' not a 'loo' or 'restroom', an 'elevator' not a 'lift', I park in a 'parkade' and my pants are outerwear, not underwear. Nonetheless, I occasionally provoke curious looks or raised eyebrows when I unwittingly use a phrase or slang expression from my British childhood.

Below is a tiny sample of localized sayings from different parts of the English-speaking world:

Australian:

a bludger / bludging - lazy, sponging off others

Sheila - a woman

whinging - whining, complaining

A few 'roos loose in the north paddock - a bit slow-witted

(Compare: A few sandwiches short of a picnic; The light's on but nobody's home, etc.)

Canadian:

a double-double - coffee with two creams and two sugars

toque (rhymes with Luke) - wool hat

klick - kilometre

loonie - dollar coin (there's a loon on it - it's logical!)

British:

Some of these are very localized and may even be used in different parts of the country with very different meanings - for example, 'spitting feathers' can mean 'extremely thirsty' or 'extremely angry'.

Two favourites of my stepmother's - I think used only in the East Midlands:

It's black o'er Bill's mother's - It looks like rain

and - my personal favourite:

I'm throng as Frock's wife today ('Throng' is generally used to mean busy, but I was never able to obtain an explanation as to who Frock was, or why his wife should be so occupied!)

Other expressions from the Midlands or northern England:

Mardy - miserable, whining (see 'whinging' above)

As thick as two short planks - (see a few 'roos loose in the north paddock, etc.)

I haven't seen her for donkeys' years - I haven't seen her for a very long time

(The origin here is interesting also - surely 'elephant years' would make more sense?)

He could talk the hind leg off a donkey - he is extremely talkative

(What is it with donkeys?)

The list is endless - I could make a dictionary (many people have!) but I'm throng as Frock's wife today so I'll save that pleasure for retirement!

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