Hi!

I've been lurking on the statii.com boards for some time now and have been able to experience more British English here firsthand than on any other board that I frequent. I have been very curious about some British English words/terms/slang not only from this board, but from movies and books as well. I thought it might be a fun idea to create a thread to help translate these words. So here goes:

I notice the word 'prick' is used a lot on statii.com to describe certain people. Is 'prick' a bad word in BE?? I am used to the American English definition of 'dickhead' or 'a$$hole' (its also a verb that means to poke something).

I have seen some British movies that seem to use the term 'bird' in the context of someone's girlfriend. Is this correct??

Finally for now, is 'stone the crows' equivalent to WTF??

Thanks for any help!

I think "prick" is a greeting used by our Canadian friends :D

"Bird" can mean any girl, not necessarily a girlfriend. One way to start a fight in a pub is to say to a stranger: "Are you looking at my bird?" (i.e. girlfriend). On the other hand, you could also hear in a pub: "See that bird at the bar? I reckon she fancies me." (i.e. girl, not girlfriend.)

Both of these comments are considerably more likely after the fourth pint.

==============

"Stone the crows" is a general exclamation, not as specific even as "WTF?". It can mean "WTF?", it can mean "I don't believe I just heard that", it can mean "oh shit", it can mean all sorts of things.

It is now such a cliche as a way of making a character sound like a Cockney that it is never, EVER used in real life unless you are going for the post-ironic Dick Van Dyke approach, in which case it is a legal requirement to add "Gor blimey, guv'nor, you're a gent an' no mistake, strewth, knock it on the 'ead mate."

Or something.

With reference to at least one item in this thread and current comments in the shoutbox I believe we are in Hungarian Phrase Book territory.

I assume that your hovercraft is full of eels?

"Prick" is indeed a greeting used by some Canadian people to convey how excelent the person is. ;)

I was waiting for someone to clear that up without my intervention, thanks Graham (prick). ()

It's getting worse and worse!

A few days ago some garlic eating French lad tried to post something unreadable and now we've got an English speaking guy who needs advice about the English language..... Even I know what prick and bird stands for!!

What the f#ck is wrong with this people?!?!

I'm from a minor third world country called Holland and the people over there speak English pretty good, overall taken.

Or is it just me talking crap now....

:D:D:D

No more coffee for you today!

Stop swearing :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Vz6XIfCY0&feature=related

ok, I'll stay off the goddamn coffee and I'll stop the bloody fucking swearing, thank you. Bliming 'ell.

Even the Irish can explain things clearly and simply.

[movie=youtube]koY6kXhQDQo[/movie]

Now, that's brilliant swearing:@, Graham!

Thanks for sharing. ()

The Statii forum is a place where refine your musical and overall education. It prepares you for life, thank you guys! :D

+1

He is brilliant - and he is f**king right :D lol

+1:D