Funny Other Country Expressions?

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Replies

  • Carbybarbie
    Carbybarbie Posts: 102 Member
    edited August 2016
    Woolyback is a person who is born in Liverpool Uk .it derived from back in the days of the dock yards and people from other areas would grab a sheep's fleace and sling it over their shoulder in an attempt to get work carrying the wool onto the ships .so now anyone who lives in Liverpool but wasn't born there is called a wooly or wooly back or a plastic scouser
  • Carbybarbie
    Carbybarbie Posts: 102 Member
    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    babzogden1962 wrote: »
    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    The ones my American family have adopted after spending too much time with me (I'm Australian):

    "Having a dummy spit/Spitting the dummy" = having a tantrum

    "Going to the servo" - Going to the gas station

    "You're f***in' this cat" - Short for "you're f'ing this cat, I'm just holding it" - basically means "Don't ask me, this is your idea/problem/job.

    "Reeks of effort" - seems too hard

    I read every one of them with an ozzy twang in my head

    As you should! :D

    Raising the octave slightly at the end of the word and speaking in a questioning manner
  • Cahgetsfit
    Cahgetsfit Posts: 1,912 Member
    some more from Down Under:

    Bless his/your cotton socks = like the bless your heart version mentioned above

    Crapper = toilet

    Built like a brick shithouse = a big muscular person

    Thongs = not underwear, they are the flip flops you wear on your feet. In NZ they call them 'Jandals'

    Jumper = sweater

    Swimmers = bathing suit

    A few kangaroos loose in the top paddock = crazy

    boring as batshit = what i'm doing right now sitting in a f^cking training session at work for something I already know how to use so here I am on MFP forums to pass the time....
  • Gimsteinn
    Gimsteinn Posts: 7,678 Member
    edited August 2016
    In my country these are totally normal sayings but translate them to English and this is what you get

    On with the butter = keep it going
    You're completely out driving = you're not paying attention
    I come from the mountains = I didnt know
    You're a latte drinking wool scarf = you're artsy
    It lies in the eyes upstairs = it's obvious
    No one will become a bishop with out a beating = success isnt a easy road
    I took him to the bakery =I thought him a lesson
    I'll find you at the beach = I'll get my revenge
    Standing on the duck = hard to breath cause you're panting

    There are many more. But these ar just at the top of my head right now
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,344 Member
    edited August 2016
    HeyaBerg wrote: »
    In my country these are totally normal sayings but translate them to English and this is what you get

    On with the butter = keep it going
    You're completely out driving = you're not paying attention
    I come from the mountains = I didnt know
    You're a latte drinking wool scarf = you're artsy
    It lies in the eyes upstairs = it's obvious
    No one will become a bishop with out a beating = success isnt a easy road
    I took him to the bakery =I thought him a lesson
    I'll find you at the beach = I'll get my revenge
    Standing on the duck = hard to breath cause you're panting

    There are many more. But these ar just at the top of my head right now

    These are amazing!! I love "You're a latte drinking wool scarf"


    Reminded me of the Danish euphemism for period which translates as "There are communists in the fun-house"
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    edited August 2016
    HeyaBerg wrote: »
    In my country these are totally normal sayings but translate them to English and this is what you get

    On with the butter = keep it going
    You're completely out driving = you're not paying attention
    I come from the mountains = I didnt know
    You're a latte drinking wool scarf = you're artsy
    It lies in the eyes upstairs = it's obvious
    No one will become a bishop with out a beating = success isnt a easy road
    I took him to the bakery =I thought him a lesson
    I'll find you at the beach = I'll get my revenge
    Standing on the duck = hard to breath cause you're panting

    There are many more. But these ar just at the top of my head right now

    What? That's kinda awesome. What country? Wait are you pulling my leg?
  • subakwa
    subakwa Posts: 347 Member
    More British-isms

    Crikey Moses - an expression of surprise
    A buggeration - an annoyance
    The sun is over the yardarm - it is a respectable hour for an alcoholic drink
    A swift one? - would you like to go to the pub?
    Shake a leg - hurry up
    Get a wriggle on - hurry up
    Climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire - cheesy "father-in-law" type way of saying going to bed

    Weather
    Fret & haar - types of mist
    Spitting - very light rain
    Mizzling - that cross between mist and rain
    Drizzling - rain that is light but more persistent and heavier than spitting
    Pouring down - heavy rain
    Belting / hammering / pissing down - really heavy rain
    Raining cats and dogs - any sort of heavy rain
    Blowing a hooley - very windy
    Summer - a combination of all the above :D

  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    edited August 2016
    rsclause wrote: »
    Some things or sayings don't translate well. My favorite was when a US General was addressing a Russian delegation. He opened with "I am tickled to death to be here" The Russian translator looked confused but translated it as "scratch me til I die"

    :D
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    Oh man I really hope some Scottish people chime in here. You all have some good ones. I've seen posting tumblr but I can't find them now. I feel like the dad in finding Nemo when the turtles are talking to him lol. It makes no sense to me but I love you all lol.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    jollyjoe321 wrote: »
    Elise4270 wrote: »
    Dodgey jammer. (The spelling may not be right.) UK saying for a cookie with a bit of jam in it. US we call them thumbprints, although there's a bit of difference in the "biscuit" too.

    Too cute, UK sayings! It's like learning you mother tongue (if your US ancestry hails from that region, think many of us do).

    Pudding is also a great one. If i tell dh were having pudding (Yorkshire pudding) he's terribly confused. Always, "where's the pudding?".

    lol! Jammy Dodger?

    Jammie Dodgers. Lovely stuff.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    Thisnameischosen_ wrote: »
    These are some from where I live (northern England).
    Alreet= how are you?
    Canny=nice/lovely.
    Aye=yes.
    Mam=mum/mom.
    Fanny= *kitten*.
    Ne bother=no problem.
    Cushty=great/good.
    Mint=fantastic/awesome.
    Belta=really good/amazing.
    Here man!?=wft did you just say?? (Or just "here!" But shouted)
    Wey aye= of course.
    Nowt=nothing.

    I think it's funny how Americans call all biscuits cookies, we have cookies, but only cookies are cookies, the rest are biscuits.

    Awesome is a word I only really use on here, if my friends heard me say awesome IRL they'd be like :/ . We'd say something like "mint" or "class" if we thought something was "awesome". I don't think many people on here would understand if I said "ah man that's mint!" So I'd say "awww thats awesome!" Even though I wouldn't say that in rl.

    Fwiw I can talk in 'real' English as well, it depends on who you're talking to and where you are I guess.

    Okay. So what are crackers??
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    Even different parts of America call things differently. Moving to the Midwest I had to learn that sacking didn't mean tackling someone to the ground but bagging groceries. Imagine my first grocery shopping experience lol. Shopping carts for me are buggies for my friend in TX.

    I love reading the responses in this thread. I totally want to visit England but I'd need an interpreter or I might have some troubles lol.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    lenoresdream wrote: »
    Even different parts of America call things differently. Moving to the Midwest I had to learn that sacking didn't mean tackling someone to the ground but bagging groceries. Imagine my first grocery shopping experience lol. Shopping carts for me are buggies for my friend in TX.

    I love reading the responses in this thread. I totally want to visit England but I'd need an interpreter or I might have some troubles lol.

    Don't go asking in stores for pants in England, if its trousers you want. They'll show you the whole range of undies and just not figure what you really need.
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    TonyB0588 wrote: »
    lenoresdream wrote: »
    Even different parts of America call things differently. Moving to the Midwest I had to learn that sacking didn't mean tackling someone to the ground but bagging groceries. Imagine my first grocery shopping experience lol. Shopping carts for me are buggies for my friend in TX.

    I love reading the responses in this thread. I totally want to visit England but I'd need an interpreter or I might have some troubles lol.

    Don't go asking in stores for pants in England, if its trousers you want. They'll show you the whole range of undies and just not figure what you really need.

    Haha! I laughed so hard when I first learned pants=undies in England! Woo Rosie would get in some trouble in the UK lol!
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    synchkat wrote: »
    "it's cold out wear a tuque when you go get the two four. Oh and get me a double double while you're out"

    Please translate. I'm guessing the two four is a time on the train or bus schedule. What's a double double??
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    RoteBook wrote: »
    I was very confused when my Australian coworker asked me to pick up some pot plants to decorate the tables at a work lunch.

    And she was horrified the first time I asked her for a napkin.

    Yup!! Pot plant - illegal substance. Napkin (sanitary)!!
  • slimgirljo15
    slimgirljo15 Posts: 269,456 Member
    Aussie sayings

    Gully raker..heavy down pour of rain..
    Come a gutser ..have a fall/ accident
    Cunning as a shithouse rat..very cunning
    Ridgey-didge..original genuine
    Sparrows fart..dawn

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    TonyB0588 wrote: »
    synchkat wrote: »
    "it's cold out wear a tuque when you go get the two four. Oh and get me a double double while you're out"

    Please translate. I'm guessing the two four is a time on the train or bus schedule. What's a double double??

    Touque is a winter hat, two four is a 24 case of beer, double double is a coffee with two milk and 2 sugars. Yes I'm Canadian lol
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    singingflutelady wrote: »
    TonyB0588 wrote: »
    synchkat wrote: »
    "it's cold out wear a tuque when you go get the two four. Oh and get me a double double while you're out"

    Please translate. I'm guessing the two four is a time on the train or bus schedule. What's a double double??

    Touque is a winter hat, two four is a 24 case of beer, double double is a coffee with two milk and 2 sugars. Yes I'm Canadian lol

    Thanks. I was way off there.
  • Gimsteinn
    Gimsteinn Posts: 7,678 Member
    cee134 wrote: »
    HeyaBerg wrote: »
    In my country these are totally normal sayings but translate them to English and this is what you get

    On with the butter = keep it going
    You're completely out driving = you're not paying attention
    I come from the mountains = I didnt know
    You're a latte drinking wool scarf = you're artsy
    It lies in the eyes upstairs = it's obvious
    No one will become a bishop with out a beating = success isnt a easy road
    I took him to the bakery =I thought him a lesson
    I'll find you at the beach = I'll get my revenge
    Standing on the duck = hard to breath cause you're panting

    There are many more. But these ar just at the top of my head right now

    What? That's kinda awesome. What country? Wait are you pulling my leg?

    Nope it's Iceland... The Icelandic language is awesome lol
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  • Carbybarbie
    Carbybarbie Posts: 102 Member
    subakwa wrote: »
    More British-isms

    Crikey Moses - an expression of surprise
    A buggeration - an annoyance
    The sun is over the yardarm - it is a respectable hour for an alcoholic drink
    A swift one? - would you like to go to the pub?
    Shake a leg - hurry up
    Get a wriggle on - hurry up
    Climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire - cheesy "father-in-law" type way of saying going to bed

    Weather
    Fret & haar - types of mist
    Spitting - very light rain
    Mizzling - that cross between mist and rain
    Drizzling - rain that is light but more persistent and heavier than spitting
    Pouring down - heavy rain
    Belting / hammering / pissing down - really heavy rain
    Raining cats and dogs - any sort of heavy rain
    Blowing a hooley - very windy
    Summer - a combination of all the above :D

    Has to get the uk weather saying in haha today its a bit muggy in Manchester
  • subakwa
    subakwa Posts: 347 Member
    Carbybarbie wrote: »
    subakwa wrote: »
    More British-isms

    Crikey Moses - an expression of surprise
    A buggeration - an annoyance
    The sun is over the yardarm - it is a respectable hour for an alcoholic drink
    A swift one? - would you like to go to the pub?
    Shake a leg - hurry up
    Get a wriggle on - hurry up
    Climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire - cheesy "father-in-law" type way of saying going to bed

    Weather
    Fret & haar - types of mist
    Spitting - very light rain
    Mizzling - that cross between mist and rain
    Drizzling - rain that is light but more persistent and heavier than spitting
    Pouring down - heavy rain
    Belting / hammering / pissing down - really heavy rain
    Raining cats and dogs - any sort of heavy rain
    Blowing a hooley - very windy
    Summer - a combination of all the above :D

    Has to get the uk weather saying in haha today its a bit muggy in Manchester

    Oh, yes, forgot muggy (=humid).

    Dreech (Scotland) = grey & damp, default setting.
    Nippy = chilly
    Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey (shortened to "brass monkeys out there" = very cold
    Cold as a witch's tit = pretty cold
    Good weather for ducks = raining again

    Not weather related
    Tight as a duck's a.r.s.e = very ungenerous
    Rougher than a badger's a*** = not the most salubrious or good looking
    Face like a skelped / smacked a*** = miserable looking



  • AriesGal329
    AriesGal329 Posts: 236 Member
    Ugly as a mud fence. I think it's a southern saying.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    HeyaBerg wrote: »
    cee134 wrote: »
    HeyaBerg wrote: »
    In my country these are totally normal sayings but translate them to English and this is what you get

    On with the butter = keep it going
    You're completely out driving = you're not paying attention
    I come from the mountains = I didnt know
    You're a latte drinking wool scarf = you're artsy
    It lies in the eyes upstairs = it's obvious
    No one will become a bishop with out a beating = success isnt a easy road
    I took him to the bakery =I thought him a lesson
    I'll find you at the beach = I'll get my revenge
    Standing on the duck = hard to breath cause you're panting

    There are many more. But these ar just at the top of my head right now

    What? That's kinda awesome. What country? Wait are you pulling my leg?

    Nope it's Iceland... The Icelandic language is awesome lol

    Oh wow, I just looked up Icelandic expressions and I have a new favorite. I think we should make this one (and latte-drinking wool scarf) a thing in the US:

    "That's the raisin at the end of the hot dog". (Something that comes as a surprise at the end of something, something extra that wasn’t expected. Usually something positive.)

    http://www.hestheimar.is/2015/05/13/15-peculiar-icelandic-phrases-that-leave-you-scratching-your-head/
  • Gibby349
    Gibby349 Posts: 119 Member
    In Ireland
    Go away= Are you serious
    Im weak= I cant stop laughing
    Any chance of a meet=Can I have a kiss
    Bure= goodlooking girl

  • refuseresist
    refuseresist Posts: 934 Member
    edited August 2016
    Does any other country say 'Naff off' or 'Knob head'

    If me auntie had bo****ks she'd be me uncle
  • finny11122
    finny11122 Posts: 8,436 Member
    Ireland , England , scotland , wales have alot of sayings in common . But each one has its own sayings , which can differ from county to county .
    A Dub ( A guy from Dublin ) might say jokeinly to a west of Ireland country boy in Dublin for the weekend -
    Street talk - Alright bud , welcome to the big smoke ( city ) . Jasus , would ya look at the big culchie head on him . Only messin with ya bud . Will ya have a pint .
  • pudgy1977
    pudgy1977 Posts: 13,499 Member
    finny11122 wrote: »
    Ireland , England , scotland , wales have alot of sayings in common . But each one has its own sayings , which can differ from county to county .
    A Dub ( A guy from Dublin ) might say jokeinly to a west of Ireland country boy in Dublin for the weekend -
    Street talk - Alright bud , welcome to the big smoke ( city ) . Jasus , would ya look at the big culchie head on him . Only messin with ya bud . Will ya have a pint .

    I have no clue what you said....but I think I love it
  • finny11122
    finny11122 Posts: 8,436 Member
    pudgy1977 wrote: »
    finny11122 wrote: »
    Ireland , England , scotland , wales have alot of sayings in common . But each one has its own sayings , which can differ from county to county .
    A Dub ( A guy from Dublin ) might say jokeinly to a west of Ireland country boy in Dublin for the weekend -
    Street talk - Alright bud , welcome to the big smoke ( city ) . Jasus , would ya look at the big culchie head on him . Only messin with ya bud . Will ya have a pint .

    I have no clue what you said....but I think I love it

    Haha . I live in the south and would sound way different to a Dublin person . An Amercian girl thought i was from Russia once haha . An English girl thought i was English .
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