Let's learn to speak British!
Hello there.
I'm sitting here at my keyboard ready to type some stories for you. Should I write about the time I came home from the pub to find a 6 foot blonde girl in my bed who didn't leave for three days? Or how about the time I almost urinated on a burglar?
But I'm getting way ahead of myself, as there is something that I find very concerning.
I've been living in London for two years. Though I've managed to fend off the stigmatism of a sort-of-not-really-almost English accent, I'm wondering how many of the British colloquialisms my brain has absorbed. I'm paranoid that words and phrases will slip into my articles that you, the reader, will not be able to understand.
There's only one thing for it - I'm going to have to teach you to understand British.
No point in diving in head first, so we'll start off with something basic; The word snog. Not a word I use much, if at all - but as good a launching pad into the British language as any.
The word snog originated from the name of a Scottish farmer Edvard McSnoggle (1780 - 1855) who used to passionately tongue kiss each and every one of his cattle before going to bed at night. When asked if this was some ancient form of superstitious ritual to ward off evil spirits, his response was "Sure, why not".
A few hundred years later, and the word snog has evolved into the following:
snog
Verb. To kiss lengthily, passionately or lustfully.
Noun. A lengthy and passionate kiss.
Though it is a very basic word, it is always wise to take great care when learning a new language. So let's make sure that you have completely grasped the concept and will not confuse something that is a snog, with something that is not a snog.
These young ladies are participating in an act that contistutes a snog.
This does not constitute a snog. This is a dog dressed as a Face-hugger from the movie Aliens.
This is snogging.
This is not snogging. This is the Japanese Boy Band Yatta.
Okay, now you try. Three Pictures will follow, of which only two will constitute a snog or snogging. See if you can pick the odd one out:
Did you choose the last one? You did? Well done! That is the correct answer. The third picture was not a snog. It was a Squirrel trapped in the spokes of a bicycle.
Congratulations, you have grasped the word snog and have taken the first step towards learning British.
I'm sitting here at my keyboard ready to type some stories for you. Should I write about the time I came home from the pub to find a 6 foot blonde girl in my bed who didn't leave for three days? Or how about the time I almost urinated on a burglar?
But I'm getting way ahead of myself, as there is something that I find very concerning.
I've been living in London for two years. Though I've managed to fend off the stigmatism of a sort-of-not-really-almost English accent, I'm wondering how many of the British colloquialisms my brain has absorbed. I'm paranoid that words and phrases will slip into my articles that you, the reader, will not be able to understand.
There's only one thing for it - I'm going to have to teach you to understand British.
No point in diving in head first, so we'll start off with something basic; The word snog. Not a word I use much, if at all - but as good a launching pad into the British language as any.
The word snog originated from the name of a Scottish farmer Edvard McSnoggle (1780 - 1855) who used to passionately tongue kiss each and every one of his cattle before going to bed at night. When asked if this was some ancient form of superstitious ritual to ward off evil spirits, his response was "Sure, why not".A few hundred years later, and the word snog has evolved into the following:
snog
Verb. To kiss lengthily, passionately or lustfully.
Noun. A lengthy and passionate kiss.
Though it is a very basic word, it is always wise to take great care when learning a new language. So let's make sure that you have completely grasped the concept and will not confuse something that is a snog, with something that is not a snog.
These young ladies are participating in an act that contistutes a snog.This does not constitute a snog. This is a dog dressed as a Face-hugger from the movie Aliens.
This is snogging.
This is not snogging. This is the Japanese Boy Band Yatta.Okay, now you try. Three Pictures will follow, of which only two will constitute a snog or snogging. See if you can pick the odd one out:
Did you choose the last one? You did? Well done! That is the correct answer. The third picture was not a snog. It was a Squirrel trapped in the spokes of a bicycle.
Congratulations, you have grasped the word snog and have taken the first step towards learning British.
posted by Beef at Monday, April 03, 2006
1 Comments:
Dear Mr Beef, when I was in London people would say to me "Alright" and I would be confused. It took me long time to know this was a hello to me. Did this happen to you?
Post a Comment
<< Home