Yep, all the time. Well not all the time but whenever you explain something as a series of steps its tempting to finish 'and Bob's yer uncle' (London accent creeping in there). It would be interesting to know who's uncle Bob actually was. <BR> <BR>I read a couple of these posts when the thread started then left it. I've just died laughing reading the rest, particularly Anna's adventures on the road. <BR> <BR>In the Guardian newspaper (known as the Grauniad on account of its once atrocious spell checking) there is a column called 'Notes and Queries' where people ask and answer odd questions about hobs and baps and suchlike, a sort of general knowledge version of Fodor's Forums. Its online at <BR>http://nq.guardian.co.uk/ <BR> <BR>When I was a kid, at Sunday lunchtime me ol' man (father) would go up the apples n pears (stairs) put on his whistle (whistle and flute - suit) pull his daisy roots (boots) on his plates of meat (feet) comb his barnet (Barnet Fair - hair) and walk down the frog n toad (road) for a pint (any quantity of beer). Luckily nobody has really spoken quite like that for a couple of generations but I still might finish a Friday night on the tiles with a ruby (Ruby Murray - curry) or a chinky (Chinese). Now instead of calling on the dog and bone you give your mates 'a bell'.

NOTE: Anyone not interested in the etymology of "Bob's your uncle!" (a phrase used at the end of instructions, approx. equiv. to "voilà!"), please skip this long post... <BR> <BR>For George Holt: <BR> <BR>According to the aforementioned excellent book, British English A to Zed, by Norman W. Schur: "One explanation of this curious phrase is its alleged use in Robert Peel's campaign for a seat in Parliament. He was a "law and order" man nicknamed Bob and "uncle" was used as a term implying benefaction and protection: *Vote for Bob--Bob's your Uncle!*...Another educated guess at its derivation relates to the appointment in 1887 of Arthur Balfour as Chief Secretary for Ireland by the then prime minister Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, who happened to be Balfour's uncle. This obvious act of nepotism was decried by many. The saying then went (if this derivation can be believed): 'You ask for the job--he remembers your name--and *Bob's your uncle!*'" <BR> <BR>So who knows. And yes, I do know that bobbies (policemen) are named for Peel, who started the police force in London. <BR> <BR>

Dear Caitlin <BR>We don't tend to call policeman 'bobbies' that's an old term, the are usually called 'coppers'. There are other names but none which are appropriate for this board. Their cars, used for catching speeding traffic are called Jam sandwiches (they are white with a red stripe along the middle). <BR>Obviously George is from the same part of London, as the terms he refers to are extremely familiar. <BR>One small point for Brits travelling to the US..Do not get out of the car if stopped by US police. We did (or more to the point my sister did ..Big mistake, huge..unless you as a passenger wish to see the inside of a barrel of a massive hand gun. <BR>I loved our adventure, but why do you have a form of maderia cake with your dinner. What is that about. <BR>Do not ask for a large coke..I did & was handed what can only be described as a small swimming pool with a straw. <BR>We ordered 2 take away pizzas & when they arrived I thought we were about to tuck into the Millennium Dome roof.They were like 2x UFO's. <BR>We went to a 'Grand ole Oprey' in Virginia, that was great fun. We were offered the biggest bucket of popcorn as a welcoming jesture. We ended up feeding our neighbours in the same row of seats. <BR>One of the funniest visits was to 'Colonial Williamsburg' It is extremely picturesque & the actual town is a museum. A whole town. The houses are about 200 years old & are cherished.The natives dress in period attire (1780 ish) & tell you what its like to live in that period...It's best to make out your an Aussie or Canadian. Do not speak too much & point at things you wish to buy. (only joking) One American lady standing next to me & unaware of my nationality asked if I had ever seen houses that old. I didn't have the heart to tell her my house was built in circa 1550. I just nodded no & smiled. <BR>We were asked,when eating in a steak restaurant if we were concerned about the Mad Cow problem 'back home' "why should we? We are both mad cows anyway" we replied. That seemed to break the ice & we got into conversation with so many people & were asked to attend Bar-B-ques, cocktail parties, lunch etc. We had an absolute ball, spoilt rotten & we still keep in touch with many of our hosts. <BR>George you forgot 'as tight as a duck's arse' (apology for swearing) It means the person is very mean with his/her money - in that a duck a@#e is water tight, of alternatively ' he got short arms & long pockets'..same meaning. <BR>As for Nigel..lets face it if you wish to meet a Northerner they can be found on the M1..GOING SOUTH he!he! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Anna- <BR> <BR>I'm sure you've figured out by now (at least I hope you have) that a pizza is meant to serve more than one person. I'd hate to have you think that is a serving for 1! Is it only here that you can order a pizza for a family meal? Unfortunately, the coke was probably meant for one... <BR> <BR>Speaking of pizza, here's another word I saw when ordering in London recently. Is rocket what we call arugula? <BR> <BR>I didn't understand your comment about maderia cake. Can you explain?

Just a small ps to samantha. <BR>Do visit the UK and then you can visit Europe on your next trip. <BR>Just throw some clothes into a case get on a plane & go. At the other end hire a car, buy a large map of the country a blindfold & a small pin & bob's your uncle. Thats normally what my sister & I do. However we are decendended from 'fly by the skin of your pant's brigade' My Grandmother travelled to India on her own to marry my Grandfather (who she bearly knew)who was in the British Army stationed there & her sister cooked her passage on a banana boat..Nothing wrong with us then..

Dear Cheryl <BR>I no longer live in London but have joined the tweed set and as I don't tend to eat pizza's (after my US experiance) I have no idea what a 'rocket' pizza is. <BR>If however you refer to rouguette (I think thats how its spelt)(pron.rocket) that is a form of herb/spiced lettuce. <BR>The mederia cake was served in a fairly 'posh' restaurant in Virginia & also in other parts of the South. We had meat, sweat potatoes,vegetables & gravey & this enormous piece of what appeared to be cake on the plate. I merely thought they were saving on the washing up by serving our main course & dessert on the same plate.. Funny I thought .. posh restaurant ..no crockery.. <BR>In another restaurant we ordered dinner & a green salad was served almost immediately. We waited for 15 mins or so & the waitress asked if there was anything wrong as the salad had not been touched. We explained that we merely awaited our main meal to accompany it. Well the poor women flew to the kitchen like a bat out of hell. When she returned sh was about to apologies & my sister said " look you eat cake with your meal & we eat salad". She raised her eyebrows appeared. <BR>We also tried a short internal flight, Just before stepping on board, the air hostess handed me a brown paper bag.."I know I'm pasty skinned but do I look that sick" I innocently remarked, that raised eyebrow look appearedagain.. When we opened it we discovered it contained our lunch. What must she have thought? <BR>The times we ordered tea & forgot about the string attached to the bag..Very attractive & exceedingly tasty,when your mouth is filled by leaves which you can't spit out (not ladylike) & you can't swallow because the string has knotted your tongue & tonsils together. <BR>Crossing the road has to be planned in advance..forget the Green Cross Code..you will be hit by a truck if you follow that example. <BR>Oh! wot larks we 'ad

Cheryl, rocket and arugula are one and the same. Anna, any pizza in the US that's meant to seve one will usually be called a personal or individual pizza, or in a fancier restaurant, a pizzete (pseudo-Italian?).

Perhaps the maderia cake was cornbread, since you said this was in the South? This is a guess from a Northerner, so an inexpert one, but maybe someone else will help out.

Can't understand all the concern about proper "britspeak". They will know that you are an American the moment you open your mouth--so forget about fitting in. And the language isn't so different that you can't navigate thru Britain. The only phrase to remember is "please" and "sorry", but that would be polite in any language or culture. <BR>t

Anna, my British English book isn't helping me with "mederia," but I'm quite sure that Helen is right, and you were served corn bread, which is very common/popular in the south and would be in place of regular bread in a meal. As you found out, green salads are served as a first course in US restaurants (though at home people usually eat them along with the main course). And it's true, tea is a travesty here unless you seek out a place that's about tea. Rarely do I see tea brewed in a pot at a restaurant; even the priciest usually just offer a teabg (but at least they do better than Lipton's). <BR> <BR>A British friend just started working for a publisher here that puts out little guidebooks and books on british culture, and she's promised to send me some. I look forward to getting the "opposite" perspective. <BR> <BR>The safety and simplicity of crossing streets definitelyvaries by location here! But what is the Green Cross Code?

Canadians sort of exist between the two worlds - nonetheless there are still some languages differences. <BR> <BR>We take "Holidays" not "Vacations" (in the U.S. holidays are statutory); we call it a chesterfield - not a davenport, we tend to pronounce out and about - "oot" and "aboot", and of course, we say "eh" - as in "How are you doing, eh?" <BR> <BR>Also, as often as I travel in the States (another Canadian thing - we call it "the States") I'll never get used to ordering "hot" tea!

Anna: <BR> <BR>Those madeira cakes weren't deep-fat fried dough known as hush puppies, were they? <BR>Did y'all experience grits? or biscuits'n'gravy? Or the true culinary experience....boiled or fried okra? <BR> <BR>The interstate highway system is divided into north/south and east/west; the north/south roads are odd numbers (USRoute 1 runs up the East Coast, for example) and the east/west are even numbers (get your kicks on Route 66). Hence the East/West signs being so prevalent. Of course, to go around a mountain or something, the odd number roads sometimes go east or west. Then there are the 2xx and 4xx numbers which denote that they are interstate highways that are part of a city's road system. And, did you know we drive on a parkway, but park in a driveway? <BR>In the East, the toll roads are turnpikes because back in primitive times (circa 1800) the road was barred by a 'pike' which was 'turned' to let you by after you paid a toll. <BR> <BR>And, Anna, here in the Southwest metropolis in which I live, we have historical districts because the houses date from the 1930's....cut it out, no laughing. <BR> <BR>I have a feeling that "Bob's yer uncle" is the precursor of yada yada yada.... <BR>

Dear All, <BR>The cake was not fried, just cake in texture. We certainly would not have ordered hush puppies as we would have been afraid 2x shoes would have been dished up. <BR>Certainly had grits & probably had biscuits n gravey, but the best of all was the steak (Do Not Order Large) you will end up with a bulls leg or torso..The Lobster & the blue crab. What a delight. The crab chowder & soup were to die for.. <BR>One bar-b-que we attended was terrifying. A man was eating what appeared to be a whole lambs leg..I studied him devouring this limb & asked if he had tried rack of lamb or the like.."yep" he replied "but I prefer turkey legs" holding up this limb. How big was the turkey ? It must have been the size of a large ostrich! <BR>The Green cross code was a form of brain washing used over here on children to avoid being run over by traffic. In the advert & posters, a man similar to that reflected on the sweet corn tins, (Jolly Green Giant) took kids across the road safely with the phrase "Look left, look right & if all clear cross the road". It was the UK's version of Superman, you know green tights worn under his white Y-fronts..Very attractive.. The man that did that advert went on to appear in Star Wars as the big bear type creature Chewbacca or something similar..Note all his legs were covered in thick fur for that..what a saving grace. <BR>Oh & by the way if a hotelier or B&B owner here asked a British girl what time she would like to be 'knocked up in the morning', he would be spitting teeth for days & his bell would be inserted where only surgery could retrieve it. <BR>We have yet to visit Canada but from the written language it appears somewhat Scottish. I'ts going to be another Pin & large map I fear. <BR>I have a garden greenhouse older than 1930 & the glass is still in it. It creeks a bit, but so would I at that age. <BR>My house which was originally an Inn (probably of ill repute) is beamed & has a priest hole,a bread oven & a Well. However, 2/300 years later the owners added an extention & to pay for it they bricked up 2x windows. (Window tax)..smart move..NOT. It's like the ultimate form of double glazing, Warm but dark. <BR>Y'all have a good night .. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Anna, you are hilarious. Thanks for all the entertainment.

Anna, parts of Canada are indeed crypto-Scottish. I visit Vancouver pretty often and (since Hong Kong's change of status and the diaspora of Hong Kong Chinese to Vancouver) I usually come away feeling like it's the largest Sino-Scottish city in the world. (But a little confusing. I seem to recall a local politician named Campbell MacDonald. Ohhh kay.) <BR>I looked over the thread and I do believe you've added another Brit term not used on this side. Y fronts = skivvies.

Dear John (Sounds familiar) <BR>Skivvies over here, tends to imply servant or gofer ie "I'm not your skivvy" in other words get it yourself. Y fronts are fairly tight fitting mens underwear & as the name implies have a 'Y' seam at the front. So don't for example ask to buy some skivvies over here as you could end up with more than you bargained for, or not ! <BR>Caitlin, I am happy our adventures into the US have tickled you, if only to fractionally repay the kindness shown to us by good natured people of all colours, greeds & religions we encountered throughout our journey bearing in mind we did not travel on a 'tourist' route & therefore no one was obliged to put on an act. What a wealth of cultures. <BR>My Parents (who died relatively young) used to say "leave your opinions at home & take your sense of humour along for company". They considered travel to be as educational & enlightening as the 3 R's. & therefore we travelled at the drop of a hat. No booking places in advance oh no. Fly by the seat of your pants attitude oh yes. <BR>We feel the priaries / ranching calling & wishing to be discovered next. Be prepared for your cattle to end up in New York, if we have anything to do with steering them ! <BR>Alternatively North sounds good..Am I scaring you ? Where's that map, pin & blindfold? <BR>John don't consider for one moment that your safe in Canada..I don't think so... <BR>My sincere apologies to Dru. Just come over & be yourself.

Anna, I truly hope that when you wrote "people of all colours, greeds & religions," it was a typo and that you meant "creeds," and were not commenting on the varying avarice of the US popularion! (Though I realize we have a reputation for materialism...) <BR> <BR>In the US, what you call Y-fronts are usually known as briefs or Jockey shorts, after one of the major brands, and in contrast with boxer shorts (which, duh, resemble the shorts boxers wear). Skivvies may be common usage in Canada, but is not an everyday word in the US (though the meaning is the same).

Hey, you two...I live in Warshington, you know, the state named after the guy who won the war. Implying I'm Canadian, well, them's fightin' words 'round these parts. (Please refer in your Directory of Obscure History to the Pig War.) <BR> <BR>Anna, one's skivvies/Y fronts/briefs or what ever one calls them, be they Jockey or St. Michael by name, are what one jumps from when, whilst observing the Green Cross Code in a Zebra Crossing, one is confronted by an HGV from the DIY shop emerging from the roundabout on two wheels.

Dear catlin & John <BR>Of course it was a typing error! Just, presumably as John's "Warshington" was albeit I have no idea, what so ever as to the war he's refering to! Does he mean that little fracas when our ancesters attempted to make tea for the masses & decided that rather then boiling up gallons of hot water, they would start a new craze of 'cold tea' on a help-yourself-basis & spooned it into some cold water harbour! That's presumably why cold tea never caught on over here or Canada. You can't beat a hot cup. tee! he! <BR>Someone on another board has asked if air conditioning would be available in London hotels in September. Of course it will be..only over here it's called "shut that door". <BR>As for the Green Cross Code, the Met Police have just issued an urgent news release to pedestrians "Crossing the road in front of large lorries could be fatal if you get too close" I am so appreciative that we received the news flash this morning..it has probably saved my life today as I was about to cross a main road & decided that rather then take the risk I would drive directly across . My car is now a complete wreck & I broke my leg & 3 ribs..but hay,I'm alive all thanks to that warning. dah? <BR>I get the distinct impression from reading other boards on the UK that visitors think they are visiting Mars. <BR>ie Are our batteries the same ? can I get a car from the airport? Where is their sense of adventure..Less questions were asked when you sent men to the moon. <BR>John, It seems you have been over here! Well, my sister & I have been to Washington & had lunch in that large famous railway station so famous I've forgotten the name.(I think they filmed The Untouchables there). We couldn't stay long as we were flying home but managed to see 3 seconds of a baseball match from the aircraft as it began to climb. I did ask the pilot if he could circle a few times just to catch the final score but to be honest I think he had his own agenda - that raised eyebrow again ! <BR>Pigs fighting (Pig War). You know full well their swine to control at the best of times.

Good grief, Anna, this is quite dramatic! I know we all hope you’re on the mend. All best wishes! <BR> <BR>I remember a friend of mine visiting London with me and ignoring one of those “Look Right” signs painted on the kerb (curb in AmeriSpeak) and promptly encountering a large red bus square on. He flew through the air with the greatest…etc., but fortunately wasn’t hurt. I believe, however, the driver and conductor on the bus were – how to say – Y front-challenged at that moment. <BR> <BR>“Warsh” is no typo, only a representation of a common US mispronunciation, as in, “it’s Sunday so I need a warsh.” Shall we say upland Williams? <BR> <BR>The Untouchables was filmed at Union Station in Chicago, I believe. The station in Washington DC (the “other” Washington to those of us in the Pacific Northwest) is also called Union Station, now the venue of many restaurants, etc., which I think is the one you visited. There are many Union Stations in the US, most of which are landmarks, just as many UK stations are also listed. IMO the best Union Station in the country is the one in LA. <BR> <BR>For the Pig War see http://www.nps.gov/sajh/pig_war.htm <BR> <BR>Peace. <BR>