(UK, slang) Rubbish; something worthless. You’re talking pants!
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Was pants a dirty word in England?
TIL that in England in the 1800’s, ‘Pants’ was considered a dirty word.
What does the phrase its pants mean?
It appears in phrases like “it’s a pile of pants!” (Simon Mayo’s catchphrase) and “it’s pants!” or “it’s absolute pants”, meaning that it’s a total load of rubbish. Later, we began to hear it from older people as in “My tomato crop was pants last year”.
What do British call shorts?
The British English term, short trousers, is used, only for shorts that are a short version of ordinary trousers (i.e., pants or slacks in American English).
What is British garbage?
In British English, rubbish is the usual word. Garbage and trash are sometimes used in British English, but only informally and metaphorically.
What do British call hoodies?
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| Jumper / Pullover / Sweater / Jersey | Sweater |
| Pinafore Dress | Jumper |
| Vest | Undershirt |
| Waistcoat | Vest |
What is toilet paper called in England?
Bog roll, naturally, is an idiom for toilet paper. This will come in especially handy if you find yourself in a dire situation in the loo.
What do Brits call sneakers?
For example, in the United Kingdom, sneakers are known as trainers.
What do the British call an elevator?
lift
Everyone knows that for the Brits, an elevator is a “lift,” an apartment is a “flat,” and those chips you’re snacking on are actually called “crisps.”
Why do Brits say floor instead of ground?
“Floor” was an archaic word for “ground” centuries ago. And according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “floor” has been used in the game of cricket to refer to the ground (but this must be an uncommon usage, since it doesn’t currently appear in any standard British dictionaries).
What is a sidewalk called in England?
pavement
Also, a US sidewalk is a British pavement, and curb is spelled kerb (curb in UK English is a verb i.e. to “curb your enthusiasm”).
What do Brits call Dresses?
Frock – This is the word for dress, though generally only used by older people.
What do British people call chips?
Crisps
Crisps (UK) / Chips (US)
In the UK, the thin round slices of fried potato that come in packets are called crisps, while in the US these are called chips.
What do Brits call a jacket?
Anorak. In the U.K., an anorak actually has two meanings: 1. a hooded jacket.
What words do British people use that Americans don t?
10 British Words That Don’t Make Sense in America
- Bagsy. According to BBC America, this slang word is the British version of “dibs.” In the U.K., you would just proclaim “bagsy” instead.
- Chinwag.
- Cashpoint.
- Chav.
- Kip.
- Doddle.
- Plonk.
- Rashers.
What do they call an umbrella in England?
brolly
In Britain, “brolly” is a popular alternative to the more staid “umbrella.” Sarah Gamp, a fictional nurse who toted a particularly large umbrella in Charles Dickens’s novel Martin Chuzzlewit, has inspired some English speakers to dub oversize versions “gamps.” “Bumbershoot” is a predominantly American nickname, one
How did people wipe their butts before toilet paper?
And though sticks have been popular for cleaning the anus throughout history, ancient people wiped with many other materials, such as water, leaves, grass, stones, animal furs and seashells. In the Middle Ages, Morrison added, people also used moss, sedge, hay, straw and pieces of tapestry.
What do the British call boots?
*Watch out!* A boot can also describe a shoe and a trunk can also describe an elephant’s nose!
How much British English do you know?
| British English (Br) | American English (Am) |
|---|---|
| bill (restaurant) | rubber boots / rain boots |
| boot (car) | French fries |
| pocket money | check |
What do they call plastic wrap in England?
Clingfilm
Clingfilm, meaning plastic wrap.
What is fall in British English?
Autumn and fall are used interchangeably as words for the season between summer and winter. Both are used in American and British English, but fall occurs more often in American English. Autumn is considered the more formal name for the season.
What do Brits call a flashlight?
use the term “flashlight”, but everywhere else in the English-speaking world, it’s called a “torch“.