British phrases - Page 6

JayMcGee · 11-14-2006, 07:20 PM

sweeny todd....

the sweeny...

flying squad....

an elite Metropolition (ie London) Police division. All armed, fast cars, non- uniformed. In todays jargon, they would be a 'quick response armed tactical unit' but without the uniforms and fairly automonous - they could pick their own targets.

Undertoad · 11-14-2006, 07:26 PM

Ah, I was on-topic and didn't even know it!

Elspode · 11-14-2006, 07:44 PM

Ah...we call that "SWAT" (Special Weapons and Tactics)

xoxoxoBruce · 11-14-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I "get" guv'ner, because I like to call people "captain" or "chief" . . .

Do they use Colonel in Texas too, or is that an antebellum south thing?

JayMcGee · 11-14-2006, 08:16 PM

mmmm.... I actually refrained from using the term 'swat', althought there are similarities....

But the flying squad was more than that.They had their own intelligence network, and the automony to select their own objectives. In todays jargon, they were proactive rather than reactive.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-14-2006, 08:24 PM

Secret police.

Flint · 11-14-2006, 08:26 PM

I'm just having a "spot of tea" now.

footfootfoot · 11-14-2006, 08:38 PM

My two cents re: three sheets to the wind:

First, despite what at first blush would be considered a "sheet", the sail is just a sail. A sheet is the rope used to fasten the sail to an anchor point, usually the deck. This sheet controls your sail and thence, your sailboat. When you lose control of your sheets, the sails flap extrememly violently to the point of destruction of the sail and anyone who tries to apprehend it.

Three sheets to the wind is extrememly, violently out of control. Unless your boat is becalmed, then you proceed to become three sheets to the wind.

Re: "Pubcrawls" When I was a bike mechanic we did something like a pub crawl with our three speeds. We'd ride from bar to bar having a drink or two at each place. The last person to arrive had to buy the first round. Something like that.

"family allowance" we have "family jewels"
Dog's body? = bee's knees? something great.

Urbane Guerrilla · 11-14-2006, 10:41 PM

Dogsbody is a servant; your batman. Which term may be military, as I never recall seeing it used in any other context.

wolf · 11-15-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I didn't watch Life on Mars, but has good reports from friends - did you like it?

I thought it was an outstanding show, both as a police drama and for the major plot point (cop from 2006 has near fatal accident, ends up in early 1970s ... which is the dream?). I sincerely hope that BBCAmerica picks up next series.

Sundae · 11-15-2006, 11:46 AM

From American Phrases

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Sweatin' like a whore in church.

I've heard
Sweating like a rapist
and Sweating like a paedophile in a creche

Also
Polite as a whore at a Christening

monster · 11-15-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I'm just having a "spot of tea" now.

You'd do better to have a cuppa.

monster · 11-15-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Dogsbody is a servant; your batman. Which term may be military, as I never recall seeing it used in any other context.

dogsbody = gopher

monster · 11-15-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

From American Phrases

I've heard
Sweating like a rapist
and Sweating like a paedophile in a creche

Also
Polite as a whore at a Christening

Hmm. you may need to move to a nicer area?

Urbane Guerrilla · 11-23-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

dogsbody = gopher

Also spelt "gofer" if your spellchecker doesn't tyrannize. I rather prefer this spelling as it more clearly carries the meaning:

"You need a gofer."
"Huh?"
"A gofer. A guy to go fer coffee, go fer a paper..."

--Some Donald E. Westlake novel I read over thirty years ago

I see I wrote a little too ambiguously: I figure "batman" for a chiefly military usage. I know he's not a "batsman."

11-14-2006, 07:20 PM	#76
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	sweeny todd.... the sweeny... flying squad.... an elite Metropolition (ie London) Police division. All armed, fast cars, non- uniformed. In todays jargon, they would be a 'quick response armed tactical unit' but without the uniforms and fairly automonous - they could pick their own targets. __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

11-14-2006, 07:44 PM	#78
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Ah...we call that "SWAT" (Special Weapons and Tactics) __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-14-2006, 08:16 PM	#80
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	mmmm.... I actually refrained from using the term 'swat', althought there are similarities.... But the flying squad was more than that.They had their own intelligence network, and the automony to select their own objectives. In todays jargon, they were proactive rather than reactive. __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

11-14-2006, 08:24 PM	#81
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Secret police. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-14-2006, 08:26 PM	#82
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I'm just having a "spot of tea" now. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

11-14-2006, 07:26 PM	#77
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Ah, I was on-topic and didn't even know it!

11-14-2006, 08:38 PM	#83
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	My two cents re: three sheets to the wind: First, despite what at first blush would be considered a "sheet", the sail is just a sail. A sheet is the rope used to fasten the sail to an anchor point, usually the deck. This sheet controls your sail and thence, your sailboat. When you lose control of your sheets, the sails flap extrememly violently to the point of destruction of the sail and anyone who tries to apprehend it. Three sheets to the wind is extrememly, violently out of control. Unless your boat is becalmed, then you proceed to become three sheets to the wind. Re: "Pubcrawls" When I was a bike mechanic we did something like a pub crawl with our three speeds. We'd ride from bar to bar having a drink or two at each place. The last person to arrive had to buy the first round. Something like that. "family allowance" we have "family jewels" Dog's body? = bee's knees? something great. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

11-14-2006, 10:41 PM	#84
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Dogsbody is a servant; your batman. Which term may be military, as I never recall seeing it used in any other context. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

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