Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
British English for the Novice I -J - K

British English for the Novice I -J - K

Date: Oct 03 2007

Topic: British English

Author: rhyme_reason

Lesson

ICE LOLLY n. 1. Popsicle. The term ICED LOLLY may also be used.

IN A PADDY phrase. 1. To be angry, as in, "Crestfallen Charlie stomped off the field IN A PADDY yesterday after his team were trounced at Windsor. But Di soon had him smiling again."

INDIAN n. 1. Indian food 2. An Indian restaurant. As in, "I'm going to eat an INDIAN tonight".

INDICATORS n. 1. Directional signals (as on a car). Blinkers.

INTERVAL n. 1. The break time between parts of a performance, as in, "The play is in three acts, the INTERVAL coming after the second act."

IN THE (PUDDING) CLUB phrase. 1. To be pregnant. Also, to have a BUN IN THE OVEN.

IMPERIAL UNITS n. 1. The adjective IMPERIAL here is used to describe the English or standard system of measurement (as opposed to the metric system of measurement). The IMPERIAL system of measurement uses the terms miles, yards, feet, gallons, quarts etc.

IRISH JOKES n. 1. Polish jokes.

IRONMONGER n. 1. Hardware store.

JCB n. 1. Back hoe digger. The name is derived from a company that makes back hoe diggers in the UK.

JELLY n. 1. Jello. Jelly is referred to as "SEEDLESS JAM". Actually, SEEDLESS JAM is often called JELLY too.

JODHPURS n. 1. Riding breeches with a tight extension to the ankle.

JOHN ARLOTT n. 1. The Howard Cosell of English sports commentators.

JOINT n. 1. Piece of meat. Roast. A "Sunday JOINT" is the roast you have with your Sunday dinner.

JOLLY adv. 1. Very, as in, "It's JOLLY hard work".

JUGGED HARE n. 1. Rabbit preserved in some sort of blood sauce or pudding.

JUGGERNAUT n. 1. A very large LORRY, probably from the CONTINENT. The difference between a LORRY and a JUGGERNAUT will be immediately apparent if you should meet each of them on a narrow road. Note: JUGGERNAUT is an INDIAN (i.e. from India) god.

JUMBLE SALE n. 1. Garage sale. This is typically not held in a garage since the garage would be too small. Oddly enough, one finds these are often held in church halls.

JUMPER n. 1. Sweater.

KEEP YOUR HAIR ON phrase. 1. Phrase used to calm someone down, similar to "Keep your shirt on".

KEEP YOUR PECKER UP phrase. 1. Keep smiling, be happy (Honest folks, its true!).

KIT n. 1. Gear. Equipment or baggage necessary for a task or trip (particularly sports equipment). As in, "Sure I'll help you fix your car. I'll fetch me KIT".

KNACKER adj. 1. Tired out, as in, "I'm KNACKERED". n. 1. As in KNACKER'S YARD, which is a slaughter house which processes meat that is not to be used for human consumption. 2. Balls. Testicles.

KNICKERS n. 1. Women's panties.   A KNICKERBOCKER GLORY is an ice cream concoction similar to a giant banana split. The phrase "Don't get your KNICKERS in a twist" is a plea not to get upset about something.

KNOCK UP v. 1. This is a tennis term. It means to warm up by volleying before actually commencing a game. I'll leave you to imagine the reaction an IBMer's wife got when, after arriving for her fist game of tennis in the U.S., she innocently asked when they "were going to KNOCK UP". 2. Another use of this term is to ask someone "to KNOCK me UP in the morning". This is used to ask someone to wake you in the morning.

LADY'S FINGERS n. 1. Okra.

LAGER n. 1. Name for a type of non-British (i.e. CONTINENTAL) beer that is commonly available. This is closer to what an American will recognize taste-wise as beer. It is, however, substantially stronger than that to be found in the United States.  

LARDER n. 1. Pantry.

LAVER BREAD (lavah bred) n. 1. An edible seaweed (originally from Wales). LAVER means seaweed.

LAY-BY n. 1. Roadside rest area.

L-DRIVER n. 1. A learner-driver. By law one who is learning to drive must warn others by posting a sign on his car with a large red "L" on a white background. This sign may also be used in situations to warn others a novice is to be found. At a local folk festival, one of the dancers prominently displayed an "L" on his hat.

LEMONADE n. 1. A general term for pop. This is likely to be SPRITE (7 UP is fairly rare in the UK). This is not COCA-COLA and should never be confused with lemonade.

LEMON CURD n. 1. A soft paste made from lemon, eggs and butter used as a spread on bread. This may also be known as LEMON CHEESE.

LIFT n. 1. Elevator.

LIKE THE CLAPPERS phrase. 1. Fast, as in, "It goes LIKE THE CLAPPERS".

LINCTUS n. 1. A syrup-like medicine. Cough medicine would be called LINCTUS.

LOAD OF CODSWALLOP n. 1. Verbal rubbish, as in, "Oh, that's a LOAD OF CODSWALLOP".

LOCAL n. 1. The PUB one normally frequents, as in, "Meet you at the LOCAL at lunch for some ARROWS"

LOFT n. 1. Attic of a house.

LOLLIPOP LADY/MAN n. 1. School crossing guard.

LOLLY n. 1. Money. 2. Popsicle.

LONG DRINK n. 1. Tall drink.

LOO n. 1. Toilet. In some hotels the toilettes may be numbered "00" to distinguish them from the actual bedrooms.

LORRY n. 1. Truck.

LOUD HAILER n. 1. Megaphone.

LOUNGE n. 1. Living room. DRAWING ROOM. SITTING ROOM.

LOUNGE BAR n. 1. A bar found in a PUB which is typically much better furnished than the PUBLIC BAR and is therefore a bit more expensive for the same brew. This portion of the PUB will probably have carpeting and chairs. Historically, this was reserved for the upper class. This may also be known as a SALOON BAR.

LOVE n. 1. A term used to refer to a person. It is quite commonly used by working class women. Oddly enough, this is a very neutral term and does not imply the speaker has any great affection for you. It is mildly disturbing to an American to have total strangers (be they BIRDS or not) calling him "LOVE", as in, "That'll be 25P, LOVE". DUCK, DUCKS or DUCKIE may also be used like LOVE. The Scots may use HEN for LOVE.

LUCKY DIP n. 1. A grab bag. This is often featured at a FETE.

Comments

Log in to Comment

ashokku

India

thanks it was useful.i came to about some new words.pls contiue doing this

02:50 PM Jan 22 2008 |

史巧云

China

It's very useful for me. But some of the phrase I don't understand now. I have read first. I only remember one phrase " Keep your hair on or keep your shirt on, its meaning is calm someone down, yeah?

Are these prases often used in Englsh dailay living?

Maybe, I must spend some time to remember them.

Thank you and Best regards,

Shi

02:49 AM Jan 11 2008 |

talke

Nepal

i don’t understand

03:21 PM Jan 10 2008 |

Likes (45):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast