The English language has the most, by far the most words of any language. I heard one of the greatest orators all all time, Christopher Hitchens, whose vocabulary was just awe inspiring immense, said the language 2nd to English, had 40% less words!
'Cheeky' is a shortened version of 'Cheeky Monkey', as there's nothing more cheeky on this planet, than a little mischeivous monkey. Oh "Bob's your uncle" is a classic phrase! Bev as I've always know it, way before Love Island was made, Let's meet up for a Bev or two, which is short for Bevvy or Beverage, drink.
Leicester Square - Leh Stuh, where did all the letters go? Funny take on it, I nearly spurted out my typhoo tea when you said that! If you think Leicester Square was hard to work out, try Bottle of Water - BO'OH'O'WA'ER. Brits and the Irish are the funniest people I've ever met, the humour in London is something to behold and when you leave the city, no one misses the weather, but every ones pines forthe humour, as it's simply irreplaceable.
Can I have is not polite = could I have ............... Please and thank you are the two most important words in the English language. This girl has learned very little about English culture. I would do nothing unless she wouild say please.
This video is BS - everyone at work in London drinks coffee, every second shop is a coffee place. That drivel about having to be over sensitive is even more stupid. This girl has been here no more than a few days. Every cliche she comes up with are just that - the constant use of them ! Not happy ? Fuck off back to Denmark and carry on saying like in every sentence like you are pretending to be like an American - a city is an hour away , not like an hour away etc …,
You got some queer ideas, to get past someone in your way ,all you say in a higher volume is, "beg your pardon" as you push past ,this saves any hurt feelings. Saying "sorry " when it's not your fault is usually an attempt to help them not feel bad for making a faux pas. I've never read a Harry Potter book or seen a film ever! I've no interest in gavin & stacy, it's just warmed up diarrhoea! Most bigger cities have criminal elements, crine in Britain has got worse now as the police have little to no presence in public , they react after event rather than act as a deterant to prevent a crime in the first place.
English pronunciation is essy. If you're English. We invented the language to confuse foreigners. We did such a good job that it even confuses us sometimes.
That's a really good review of your culture shocks, Mathilde. Your experience depends, of course largely on those you interact with most. I have to say that calling the evening meal 'tea' is a very lower-class idiom. The correct word is 'supper', though sometimes yer upper-middle classes may call it 'dinner.' The midday meal is always 'lunch.' 'Tea' (other than the basic drink) should always refer to either 'elevenses' (mid morning tea break, with which you have a light snack) or 'afternoon tea', which is a kind of mini-sandwiches and cakes affair, taken with tea (the drink). Confused? I'm not surprised. And there will undoubtedly be people who argue with me in comments below. Take no notice of them. They're just plebs. Lol.
I’m 70 and brought up in the 50s and 60s. My family was “working class” in the Black Country (just South West of Birmingham, look for Dudley. The meals were always Breakfast, Dinner then Tea.
Hi Mathilda, just a point on politeness, when you say can you move, just say “excuse me!” I know it sounds like you’re asking for forgiveness but that’s the Brit way of asking somebody to get out of your way. If they persist in staying there stick a “please” on the end! Still no move then just push past !!!.?? Well you know what I mean, but thats the correct, polite way to gain access to a clear way past people! Ok??? Cheers Aah Kid! Oh! That’s the most accent free accent I’ve heard, love it!
Hi Mathilde. First time seeing your pretty face and hearing your very good English pronunciation. We are a strange complication of humanity but usually quite nice, especially us older types. I suspect you have been speaking English since childhood, yes? I look forward to hearing more comment from you about our mixed up approach to life. Jeff x
The tea instend of dinner is a Northan thing, someone who says tea is devinatly comes from the North of FEngland or is Scottish.Sorry for the long explination. I used to spend alot of Dundee and its cold there, the clubbers. Were are you living ??? 73% of people will walk home at any time, iv seen gangs of pick pockets in Regent Street Lomdon but never seen or herd of a friend having there pocket picked, but i live in Chester in the north were we are much frindlyer. I do not drink tea so im expecting to have my passport removed at any time.
As a northerner my meals are breakfast lunch and tea. If I dine out in the evening, i say im going out for a meal or to eat. I never eat dinner in the evening and supper might be toast or crsckers before bed. I know we Brits love our tea, but it's no more orevalent to Americans drinking coffee. What's the big deal with it? And I'd far be polite and use please and thank you than sound rude and abrupt. As a kid at home I had to ask permission to leave the meal table and to use the toilet in other people's homes.
Many people unfamiliar with British ways think that when we say "sorry" we're apologising. Not always true, it can simply mean, "I didn't hear you properly, can you repeat that please?" Alternatively it can mean, "Who the **** do you think you're talking to sunshine?", or even "Are you looking for a slap"? It's all in the tone of voice and the inflexion.
I'm glad she's picked up on the different types of sorry. It's also used in the context of "I'm sorry (you are such an idiot and I have to deal with you today)".
Perfect! - I have just learnt English that way in school, but I do believe I still have a Danish accent ;) I take it as a compliment though if you can't hear it! :)
They call it the dogs bollocks cos the dogs nuts are the most valuable thing that carries on the family or the breeding I guess - ‘ the family jewels ‘ lol (the most important thing)
First your English is superb. Just a little hint of Danish in there. Being English you can expect us to believe we are the best. After all the world does talk English because of us. Even though the Danes and Vikings did add to our language! We had Danelaw here for a while way back in the old days. In case you didn't know. Did you get here by Longboat? Enjoy your stay and you sound like you are becoming English. By the way one of my favourite TV programmes is Danish, 'Follow The Money.'
