I like to joke (but it’s not really a joke) that I’m learning a second language while living here in the UK. Take the following conversation as an example:
Me: (reading a book in BrE) What does kitsch mean?
Gent: (watching football) What?
Me: Kitsch – the context is referring to art. Does it mean tacky?
Gent: (still watching football) Dunno.
Me: What? How can you not know? Does it mean tacky?
Gent: Um, well, errr….
Me: (googling) yes! It does! Why can’t you just tell me these things?!
or…
Gent: Well, I’m doing this course and at 2,500 pounds it’s a snip.
Me: I’m sorry, it’s a what?
Gent: A snip.
Me: A ship?
Gent: (making scissor gestures) snip. It’s a snip.
Me: Errrrrmmmm????
Gent: It means it’s cheap.
Me: But you said it was 2,500 quid.
Gent: I know. Work is going to pay. That’s why it’s a snip.
another conversation I’ve had recently, that I won’t bore you by writing out is the several meanings of the word pudding in this country. My American friends were absolutely baffled. Especially by the pudding of the yorkshire variety.
But, all this aside, I’ve got it. The solution.
Think about it. It can’t be any harder than having to remember the various meanings of pants. At least we would call all agree on whether it is zero or naught then, too. Because I’m tired of having to explain to all these Brits that they’re wrong…
Seriously – think about it,
Miss A.
P.S. The book was “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. 4 stars out of 5, even though I did spent two very late nights finishing it.