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

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..

xoxoxoBruce · 11-12-2006, 12:11 PM

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

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.

JayMcGee · 11-12-2006, 06:14 PM

In the Uk, a lot our phrases come from various sports: sticky wicket, horses for courses etc...... I guess the same is true of the US. We've all heard the 'three strikes and out' thingie (taken from your version of rounders, I believe) but I'm sure there are others....

morethanpretty · 11-12-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayMcGee

In the Uk, a lot our phrases come from various sports: sticky wicket, horses for courses etc...... I guess the same is true of the US. We've all heard the 'three strikes and out' thingie (taken from your version of rounders, I believe) but I'm sure there are others....

three strikes and your out is from baseball. I have no clue what rounders is. My mother uses "pertnear" (don't know how to spell it) meaning close to. wow this is hard...hmmm. Yellow bellied snake is a bit outdated but sometimes used. Cows are sometimes referred to as "doggies." "Best in the west." is common when someone is bragging (although normally its in a joking way). Around here references to the street Harry Hines blvd has to do with prostitutes. Goin' muddin' is what the hicks do after it rains...they take their truck (normally) and find a muddy field to drive in. Drunk as a skunk...well i don't think explanation is needed. (unless you don't know what a skunk is). Vittles is food. Crackers are white people, beaners are mexicans, wetbacks are mexicans (pretty racist tho). I'll be back when I can think of some more.

JayMcGee · 11-12-2006, 07:33 PM

is 'hook, line and sinker' also used in the US?

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

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, 12:07 PM	#8
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, 12:11 PM	#9
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, 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."

11-12-2006, 01:31 PM	#10
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	#11
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	That's used a lot in Britain.

11-12-2006, 06:14 PM	#12
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	In the Uk, a lot our phrases come from various sports: sticky wicket, horses for courses etc...... I guess the same is true of the US. We've all heard the 'three strikes and out' thingie (taken from your version of rounders, I believe) but I'm sure there are others.... __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

11-12-2006, 07:33 PM	#14
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	is 'hook, line and sinker' also used in the US? __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

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