Isn't English A Strange Language?

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by Mongoose, Feb 28, 2023.

  1. Mongoose

    Mongoose Well-Known Member

    Feb 19, 2023
    83
    68
    Georgia
    Now that I'm riding a Triumph, I'm having to learn a new language, and I thought I already spoke English. Ok, it's southern English, as in y'all, yonder, (over there..), you'ins, ( a group of folks,), But now I'm learning that a windshield is really a fly screen, my saddlebags are pillions, my speedometer is an instrument cluster, and, instead of "gassing up" I'm adding petrol! Good grief!!! I made a new friend here in Gawga, who hailed from Oldham, in Lancashire. Harry, who can't pronounce "H", was looking for plimsolls, and I told him we don't have those over here. Found out he was lookin' for some tennis shoes! Then, he was gonna put them in the "boot" of his car, and I suggested he put them in the trunk. One night, he suggested we go out "trapping birds" at a local pub, and I explained we don't have any pubs, just bars, and while hunting was great in Georgia, we probably want to do it outside, perhaps in a field? Imagine my surprise when I found he meant picking up girls!!!! I just found out a spanner was a wrench, and I'm still trying to figure out what a right wanker is.I think it's a bike tool? Thank the Good Lord I didn't buy a jap bike! Arigato might get ya in a fight here in the mountains!!!!
     
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  2. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,279
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    Three Counties
    Almost there with this new language bud but saddlebags are panniers ;) as you say so many variations, we'll see you right though :cool:
     
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  3. Mongoose

    Mongoose Well-Known Member

    Feb 19, 2023
    83
    68
    Georgia
    I confused my panniers with my pillions!!!!:worried:
     
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  4. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    6,318
    800
    North Yorkshire
    #4 Eldon, Mar 1, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2023
    You can't beat a good "Fanny pack" though can you?

    Our side of the pond it's a bumbag.
     
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  5. Mrs Visor

    Mrs Visor Elite Member

    Aug 21, 2021
    3,287
    800
    UK
    Hi and welcome - we're all happy as Larry to see you in here, or even in fact pigs in muck. Some words are indeed a very different kettle of fish depending upon which side of the pond you're on and it's easy to go barking up the wrong tree as your conversations with Harry have demonstrated. Hopefully your Triumph will blow your socks off.
     
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  6. Glenn2926

    Glenn2926 First Class Member
    Subscriber

    Dec 21, 2021
    750
    500
    Yorkshire
    Eyup.
     
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  7. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    6,318
    800
    North Yorkshire
    Come on @Glenn2926 .......

    Eyup si they ars tha do in ol cocker?

    Ove t'ill n darn ginnel thas a reet bird ont end o that road.
     
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  8. David Cooper

    David Cooper Triumph Rocketeer.
    Subscriber

    Alreet marra, a knars wot thas tarking aboot.
     
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  9. Wire-Wheels

    Wire-Wheels Elite Member

    Apr 26, 2019
    2,497
    800
    California - USA
    #9 Wire-Wheels, Mar 1, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2023
    Yes...We all speak some form of English. We just have to learn to understand each other. Whatever it takes to "git-er-done". ...J.D.
     
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  10. TEZ 217

    TEZ 217 Crème de la Crème

    Mar 6, 2016
    3,150
    1,000
    south shields
    Nae botha mucka we'll get there.
     
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  11. Geoff Butler

    Geoff Butler Never too old for Biking!

    Apr 5, 2021
    626
    143
    Hampshire & Powys
    #11 Geoff Butler, Mar 1, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2023
    Alright Mongoose, you seem like a decent enough Geezer and will fit in well with this bunch of Nobends :p
     
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  12. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    6,318
    800
    North Yorkshire
    @Geoff Butler
    Nobends...... wot as in Roman roads
    ....... or Knob ends as in reet wankers?
     
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  13. jdwalmsley

    jdwalmsley Well-Known Member

    Apr 30, 2021
    54
    68
    british columbia
    As Churchill said, "America and Britain, two nations separated by a common language."
     
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  14. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,283
    800
    Yorkshire
    Local dialects and rhyming slang can vary so much even the natives can struggle!:joy:
    I came across this on the net recently which I found interesting. Not sure how much of this observation of the "British People" still applies to the modern generation.
    https://flashbak.com/1942-extracts-...ons-for-american-servicemen-in-britain-14231/
    Despite our cultural differences and the fact you all drive on the wrong side if the road over there:p, I think we still have much in common.:grinning: Welcome to the forum.
     
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  15. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
    Subscriber

    Dec 3, 2018
    22,625
    1,000
    Tucson Arizona
    Welcome to the forum from another American, @Mongoose. I hail from Arizona so even we speak a different form of English! As you've already discovered, there is much to learn here above and beyond things about Triumph motorcycles. I hope you become an active part of our international "family". BTW, what Triumph are you now riding? Perhaps you've mentioned that elsewhere but we love to know what fellow forum members ride...and to see pictures of their bikes, too!
     
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  16. Havit

    Havit Admin
    Staff Member Subscriber

    Jul 17, 2015
    9,661
    1,000
    Kent
    Welcome Mongoose, As an Essex boy Ts and Hs dont excist .
     
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  17. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,640
    1,000
    North West England
    Hi and welcome…
     

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