English Language

  • The above is rather like the "New definitions of words" from the Radio 4 Sorry I Haven't A Clue radio show (a few examples):


    Abacus - Swedish swear word

    Bustard - very rude ominbus driver

    Caberet - wide range of taxis for hire

    Chairs - toast by the Queen

    Childhood - young gangster

    Dandelion - camp Big Cat

    Delight - make things go darker

    Descant - white collar ant

    Doughnut - eccentric millionaire

    Equip - joke online

    Extemporary - permanent

    Fondue - affectionate sheep

    Granary - old folks' home

    Hirsute - ladies clothing

    Inhabit - dressed as a monk

    Intense - camping

    Investment - thermal underwear for bankers

    Ketchup - posh word for drawing level

    Khaki - device for starting car

    Laminated - pregnant sheep

    Loofah - outdoor loo

    Marinade - soft drink for wedding

    Microbe - tiny dressing gown

    Minimal - small shopping centre

    Mucus - feline swear word

    Mutate - feline art gallery

    Negligent - Male lingerie

    Neighbourhood - gangster next door

    Notable - full restaurant

    Overrate - nine

    Paradox - two medics

    Parasites - view from Eiffel Tower

    Plantiff - argument with stewardess

    Posterity - inherited botom size

    Property - decent cuppa

    Quadrant - four people shouting

    Ramshackle - male chastity belf

    Rugger- wearing a iwg

    Scandal - footwear to be ashamed of

    Tannoy - annot loudly

    Xenophobia - fear of Buddhists

    Ian


    Putting the old-fashioned Staffordshire plate in the dishwasher!

  • I love Clue. I wish I knew how they came up with the Uxbridge English Dictionary words (is 'Abacus' also a swear word for Genesis fans?8))


    I grew up with Shakespeare and remain as passionate about him as ever but I understand he is not for everyone. I don't think his language has dated, but that may be because I'm already familiar with it.

  • A peculiar instance of an American using a British word is in the song Frail Grasp On The Big Picture by the Eagles in which Don Henley uses the word 'snogging'.