While reading The Gorgeous Bikeer Chick's (GBC) Blog recently, I saw a question asked in one of the comments that seems a little daft, but then when you think about it, maybe not.
"Hairy Larry" who hails from Sacremento in that strange land known as California asked what a "numpty" was and brings up the reason for this line of nonsense for today.
Someone once commented that the US and Great Britain has a shared culture that is divided by a common language.
So to help with TransAtlantic communications, here's a quick guide to English/US word usage and what they mean, more or less:
Numpty-pin or airhead, fool, idiot
Prat-see above
Midge-similar to a gnat
Bitsa-a bike or other object that has been assembled from various unassocciated parts, eg parts from
different motorcycles added to a BSA
SMIDSY-Sorry mate I didn't see you..said by the numpty who pulls out in front of you causing an accident.
Chav-those who drive around in little street racing cars acting like boy racers. Also dress different that most
people
Knackered- tired, exhausted, worn out, trashed or broken
Shagged-see above
Club run-similar to a US poker run, but for actual club members without the "poker" game
Autojumble-swap meet
Petrol-gas (most know this but thrown in anyway)
Gaffer tape-duct tape
Mole grips-vise grips
Lump hammer-small sledge hammer
Tyres-tires
Motorway-Interstate
Bodge-to jury rig, improvise
Chips-french fries
Crisps-potato chips
Roundabout-traffic circle
Zebra crossing-pedestrian crossing/crosswalk
Scrambles-motocross
Gudgeon pin-wrist or piston pin
Silencer-muffler
Mudguard-fender
Car boot- trunk
Car bonnet-hood
Windscreen-windshield
"Zed"-"Zee"
Spanner-wrench
Parts factor-parts stockist
There's more to the list, but you get the idea. To help you with your lessons, read Classic Bike, The Classic Motorcycle, Real Classic, Classic Bike Guide magazines, Classic Motorbikes.net forum, North Staffs Exhaust Notes forum, GBCs blog, and as well as this drivel.
By the by, speaking of magazines, which ones do you favor and which ones are only fit for using as fish wrap and yes, I do want to know your thoughts on this.
Have a dry, warm and safe day out there me dearios. (Guess who used that catch phrase!)
Wee Smokey
2 weeks ago
Oi! You forgot the best classic mag there is - well, ok, its more of a paper than a mag but...OLD BIKE MART.
ReplyDeleteEeeek....yer right,liped my mind there completely GBC. May have to check into, 'specially if yer writing the same caliber articls you were at CBG.
ReplyDeleteTo make it worse, there are the regional variations too. I was most confused when I moved to Telford and found that what I call "Roundabouts" are commonly called "Traffic Islands"
ReplyDeleteRegional variations do tend to muck things up a little such as well, but just a little
ReplyDeletenumpty, bimble, roundabouts....uuuuhhhhh I've hit me head ...run to wickapedia... Hairy Larry...ok this is my fifth attempt to post here ...maybe tbis time.....
ReplyDeleteIf you think this is confusing then I suggest that you completely avoid Cockney at all costs.
ReplyDeleteOnce you're around it for a bit, it's easy to understand it all, just takes some time.
a few years back met a group of young climbers from the UK...had a hard time understanding one of them. His friends said not to worry, half the time we can't either...he's Welsh they say. Hairy Larry
ReplyDeleteRegional accents can be hard to understand at times; while in Edinburgh was with a group and I could undertand everyone but had trouble with one as his Scottish brogue was very thick. The same in northern England, harder to understand than down south around say London.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather had a northern England or Geordie accent that I could just undertand at times and he lived in the Luton area for decades.
We should all do good research before going to
ReplyDeletepurchase a new or used motorcycle. Someone once commented that the US and Great Britain has a shared culture that is divided by a common language.
motorcycle spares
Good point about reserching before buying and reading between the lines about what's said and what's meant
ReplyDelete