Do you love some of the expressions from folks who are from a different country than yours?

Question

For example: "Sly Fox" -I think from Brazil - just commented "someone just thumbed me down"

My question: What are some such expressions that you have noticed and liked?

(((Sly Fox)))

Dear Sly Fox - Please don't misunderstand me. I enjoy the way you express yourself . smiles

I love the variety of all countries. (((M)))

Answer 1

It's not so funny when you are the one who either is always being misunderstood, or keeps making a full of yourself for the whole world to see...

Edit: Free To Be Me - Thank you, my friend :)

Ja'aj - Thank you!! :)

Sherl - Thank you!! :)

Answer 2

No! problem Uncle,
Was it Oscar Wild that said something about it being better that people talk about you badly than not at all. lol

Unfortunately I am in fact an English man exiled in Italy (ok it was my own choice)
You mean it's not a phrasal verb over there in the states mind you thinking about it maybe it's not even one in England!

I am just making it up as I go along these days I guess.(I've been here for 10 years now and I am losing touch)
It could have something to with all those holidays in Holland, I am sure they put something in the coffee! ;-)

Oh expressions.
I have a friend from the old days in England living in the US now, he's been there for 10 years.
Any way some of our little English expression do seem to be the cause of surprise.

For example in the common language a cigarette can be called a F a g
and a crude way of ask if you can borrow some thing on permanent loan is to Bum.

So the express in a pub in England goes like this.
Can I bum a f a g off you mate!

Rich has told me that the response over there is quite different than in England!

Another is the word Rubber, which is used to cancel errors when writing with a pencil.

So in England it is ok to say.
Excuses me do you have a rubber I've made a mistake!

I wonder what the reaction to that would be over there in the US.

Oh and a fanny is at 180deg and only on females in Britain.

Have a Big Hug Uncle

ADDED I say unfortunately because it's winter up here where in Brazil it summer!

Answer 3

Hello folks : I believe it is Vietnam ( not sure) any way, when you visit, don't do the hand sign O for A OK, unless you can run very fast !? lol

And in Middle East, ( Iran for sure) , don't give "Thumb Up" , unless you know Karate or some thing?

That just got me thinking: do you think that's the reason for rising number of insurgents in Iraq ?! May be our troops trying to be nice and are giving them Thumb Ups !?

Best Regards.

Answer 4

Yes, Uncle Wayne, I love the different expressions ( and the ways we are all the same). A couple of favs: My English friend's "Keep your pecker up" would get a double take here in the US. Even my sister ( many years living in Kentucky) gets a "skiff" of snow while here in the north we get a dusting.
That's just a little, folks, we also get BLIZZARDS.
((( Uncle Wayne & Aunt Carolyn))

Answer 5

What I think is funny is when Americans ask for the the bathroom when they want to go to the toilet. I certainly don't anyone using my tub for a toilet.

And you call your ground floor the 1st floor and your 1st floor the 2nd floor.

Another is that Americans say they are stuffed when the are full from eating. In the UK that would mean they are f**ked.

And no English mother would ever name her son Randy. That would be the same as naming him Horny. Hum, now that I think about it, that might be totally appropriate for some men named Randy that I have been acquainted with.

Answer 6

I LOVE! the humor of the English! And Australians! The English say "got the wind up" and it certainly fits! Also, I'm still startled when a Brit says, "fag" meaning cigarette....!
**Moon :), you are absolutely wonderful! If I were taking part in a site where English wasn't my first, or even second! language, I would never feel inferior! Please, you never, ever make a fool of yourself. Not ever.
** FTBM: They said that because you ARE cheeky! (The ONLY thing they got right, apparently...) }:>


EDIT: Can SOMEone help?? What is a "Ceiling Cat"???
Moon: You are MORE than welcome! }:>
**For Duchess: You got that right! (As we say here, in the U.S.)
As a matter of fact, I pointed that out to our mutual friend... I say he KNEW what he was doing.... bah.

Answer 7

Yes the Aussie expressions (it would take too long to explain) and then the eastenders in old Londontown (they have some unique expressions)core,blimey,pints,(and very warm Beer)

Answer 8

OMG I have a friend I talk to frequently from Australia and he says so many things that I have to get explained..
but of course people from America ask me what some stuff I say means and I live in Georgia..LOL

((Uncle Wayne& Auntie Carolyn))

Answer 9

Someone from Scotland called me cheeky. I had no idea what it meant. lol Now I do.

Moon, I never think of you as a fool or making a fool of yourself. I think you are great just the way you are.

Answer 10

Well, "different than" is an American-only expression, as far as I know. :o)

One of my favourite Americanisms is "hidden in plain sight" - for some reason we don't have that in the UK (we refer to an "elephant" - something blindingly obvious that no-one seems willing to talk about - but that's a different definition).

===

Mrs Meerkat! Pardon your French!

((UW))
((MM))

Answer 11

Yes! My friend who lives in the Black Country will say "Bless his cotton socks". I love that. She came to visit and needless to say we both had fun with what each other said.