American Phrases

DanaC · 11-12-2006, 04:08 AM

It occurred to me whilst reading and contributing to the British phrases thread, that most of what we Brits (and probably other nations too) know of American phrases, comes to us through TV shows and movies. I am guessing that's a fairly narrow experience base. Given how different dialects and language use can be in such a small island as Britain, it stands to reason there's a bunch of innately American phrases that never make it to our tv screens, or that are used differently from one state to the next.

I am a huge fan of any books set in and around Maine, because I love the phrases used by the characters and the culture those books portray.

So.....Any of you Americans care to share any gems you think we might not have come across?

Griff · 11-12-2006, 07:26 AM

How about- I beat him like a rented mule; used interchangably with; beat him like a red-headed step child. Used in competitive situations not necessarily physical. Maybe they don't reflect well on our psyche?

DanaC · 11-12-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

beat him like a red-headed step child.

Oh my, that's great.

Undertoad · 11-12-2006, 09:35 AM

Just like the Brits in the Brit phrases thread, it's hard for me to work out what is distinctly American... and which American phrases are less known.

tw · 11-12-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Just like the Brits in the Brit phrases thread, it's hard for me to work out what is distinctly American... and which American phrases are less known.

Stay the course.

Clodfobble · 11-12-2006, 11:57 AM

"Y'all"

Also, I would guess that these are American: "Gotta pee like a racehorse," and "shotgun wedding."

cowhead · 11-12-2006, 12:02 PM

was just wondering if " well.. fuck me running (down a gravel road) " had made it back across the pond

xoxoxoBruce · 11-12-2006, 12:11 PM

Hold my beer and watch this.
Shit through a tin horn.
Horny as a hoot owl.

DucksNuts · 11-12-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowhead

was just wondering if " well.. fuck me running (down a gravel road) " had made it back across the pond

Our version of that is "fuck me swinging" or "fuck me drunk" or even "fuck me backwards".....if youre feeling reaallly creative you could even go as far as "fuck me drunk whilst swinging backwards"....but you would almost need to be dying of incredation (I just made that up, but it sounds cool :p ) to use that little gem.

"silly wanker" used to be mainly Australian from what I gather.

"Flamin' Galah" is NOT used by any Australian barr Alf from Home and Away (aussie sitcom).

I personally dont know anyone who says "Crikey".

"Go root your boot"

Getting "pissed" is drunk.

"off his face" is also drunk (but very old school).

I'm sure there are a tonne more, but I cant think of them now.

Pomms - those English buggers

Yanks - those American buggers

the others are NOT PC that I refuse to mention them

monster · 11-12-2006, 11:03 PM

'Murrickin phrases:

Jonesing
BFE
boo-boo/owie

Pie · 11-13-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

BFE

East Jabip, Podunk, the sticks, Hicksville = somewhere remote, possibly with fewer hallmarks of civilization.
Sack up, man up, cowboy up = gather up one's courage for a daunting task.

melidasaur · 11-13-2006, 12:02 PM

The phrase that drives me nuts - it's a very Southern US thing and unfortunately I picked it up from living in North Carolina for 5 years is: might could.

Example: We might could go to the store.

EHHH, I hate it, but I catch myself doing it.

cowhead · 11-12-2006, 12:07 PM

damn. I tell you.. culturally speaking since moving to the south I have had to learn soooooo many more phrases.. therein lies the problem with america.. it's too damn big.. too many regional dialects and phrases.. "all shot out" is a southern phrase meaning 'crazy but in a good way' (heh.. I've had a dozen people call me that, I take it as a compliment personally) still learning..helps that the g/f / neo-wife is a southerner and very intelligent so I can ask her what they mean in a 'northern'/'yankee' sense..

Undertoad · 11-12-2006, 01:31 PM

There's the classic "built like a brick shithouse", but who can figure how that one came to be.

DanaC · 11-12-2006, 05:13 PM

That's used a lot in Britain.

11-12-2006, 04:08 AM	#1
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	American Phrases It occurred to me whilst reading and contributing to the British phrases thread, that most of what we Brits (and probably other nations too) know of American phrases, comes to us through TV shows and movies. I am guessing that's a fairly narrow experience base. Given how different dialects and language use can be in such a small island as Britain, it stands to reason there's a bunch of innately American phrases that never make it to our tv screens, or that are used differently from one state to the next. I am a huge fan of any books set in and around Maine, because I love the phrases used by the characters and the culture those books portray. So.....Any of you Americans care to share any gems you think we might not have come across?

11-12-2006, 07:26 AM	#2
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	How about- I beat him like a rented mule; used interchangably with; beat him like a red-headed step child. Used in competitive situations not necessarily physical. Maybe they don't reflect well on our psyche? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

11-12-2006, 12:02 PM	#7
cowhead halve your cake and eat it too. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Georgia.. by way of Lawrence Kansas Posts: 1,359	was just wondering if " well.. fuck me running (down a gravel road) " had made it back across the pond __________________ no my child.. this is not my desire..I'm digging for fire.

11-12-2006, 12:11 PM	#8
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Hold my beer and watch this. Shit through a tin horn. Horny as a hoot owl. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-12-2006, 11:03 PM	#10
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	'Murrickin phrases: Jonesing BFE boo-boo/owie __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-12-2006, 09:35 AM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Just like the Brits in the Brit phrases thread, it's hard for me to work out what is distinctly American... and which American phrases are less known.

11-12-2006, 11:57 AM	#6
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	"Y'all" Also, I would guess that these are American: "Gotta pee like a racehorse," and "shotgun wedding."

11-13-2006, 12:02 PM	#12
melidasaur Traded your soul for pogs. Join Date: May 2004 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 646	The phrase that drives me nuts - it's a very Southern US thing and unfortunately I picked it up from living in North Carolina for 5 years is: might could. Example: We might could go to the store. EHHH, I hate it, but I catch myself doing it. __________________ I love England, what can I say?

11-12-2006, 12:07 PM	#13
cowhead halve your cake and eat it too. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Georgia.. by way of Lawrence Kansas Posts: 1,359	damn. I tell you.. culturally speaking since moving to the south I have had to learn soooooo many more phrases.. therein lies the problem with america.. it's too damn big.. too many regional dialects and phrases.. "all shot out" is a southern phrase meaning 'crazy but in a good way' (heh.. I've had a dozen people call me that, I take it as a compliment personally) still learning..helps that the g/f / neo-wife is a southerner and very intelligent so I can ask her what they mean in a 'northern'/'yankee' sense.. __________________ no my child.. this is not my desire..I'm digging for fire.

11-12-2006, 01:31 PM	#14
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	There's the classic "built like a brick shithouse", but who can figure how that one came to be.

11-12-2006, 05:13 PM	#15
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	That's used a lot in Britain.

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