British english A to Z_7 potx

Private Prosecution see comment In exceptional cases where the Crown Prosecutor decides that there is insufficient evidence for the state to try someone for a crime, interested parties (e.g. the vic- tim’s family) may ask permission to prosecute the accused using their own funds. The applications are rarely allowed, and such prosecutions are extremely rare. private school see comment A private school is a school supported solely by fees paid by parents. See prep school; public school. private treaty contract In advertisements of real estate for sale, one often sees the phrase for sale by pri- vate treaty, which means that the common British practice of putting up real estate for sale at auction is not being followed in that case. Agreement between buyer and seller establishes the sale price. Privy Council, n. see comment Originally the monarch’s council of advisers, it consists nowadays of all past and present members of the cabinet. privy purse see comment Funds supplied by the British Government for the private expenses of the sov- ereign. prize, also prise, v.t. pry open Prize is known in America but pry is more common; vice versa in Britain. In Brit- ain one usually prizes open a lid etc. Prize Day. See Speech Day. proctor, n. approx. college monitor A senior proctor and a junior proctor are selected each year at Oxford and Cam- bridge as officials charged mainly with disciplinary matters. To proctorize is to exercise that function. The word is used in somewhat the same sense in some American colleges, with the emphasis on dormitory and examination discipline, but the American verb is proctor, same as the noun. Prog is the slang form, and can be used as a transitive verb, as in He was progged, university slang for ‘reported by the proctor.’ producer, n. 1. director 2. producer 1. In the British theater, producer and director are both used to mean ‘director’ in the American sense, and theatrical manager means ‘producer’ in the American sense. 2. In the film industry producer and director are used as in America. prog. See proctor. programme, n. platform What Americans call the platform of a political party is called its programme in Britain. Also, party manifesto. prompt, n. stage left See opposite prompt. 280 Private Prosecution (the) Proms, n. pl. see comment Inf. Short for Promenade Concerts, a series started by Sir Henry Wood in 1895, held annually during the summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London. propeller shaft drive shaft Automobile term. See also Appendix II.E. propelling pencil mechanical pencil Scarcely seen today, having given way to the ballpoint pen. proper, adj., adv. Inf. regular; real Inf. Used by the British as an intensive. If a friend should see you sipping lemon- ade in a pub, he might ask why you’re not having a proper drink, i.e., a real drink, an honest to goodness drink. A proper pushing lad is a real go-getter. Less complimen- tary is an expression such as a proper fool, where the adjective emphasizes the degree of folly. Good and proper is an adverbial phrase in a sentence like, I told him off good and proper! property, n. real estate A property dealer would be called a real-estate operator in America. provinces. See under regions. proxy bomb dummy bomb P. T. Inf. physical education Inf. Stands for physical training; usually abbreviated like its American counter- part. Physical Education (PE) is now the more common term. P.T.O. over Placed at the bottom of the page and indicating please turn over. See also over- leaf. pub, n. see comment Inf. An approximate equivalent is bar. Pub is short for public house. A synonym for pub is the local, which is short for the local pub (note that local can also mean ‘native’; see local). Traditionally, every pub had at least two bars: the public bar and the saloon, or private bar, which is appreciably more elegant; and drinks served in that room cost a little bit more. One is apt to find a carpet on the floor of the saloon bar, but the darts board, the bar-billiards table, and the shove-half- penny board would normally be found in the public bar. See also free house; tied; opening hours; bitter; pint; landlord; pot-house; shebeen. pub-crawl, n., v.i. make the rounds (of pubs) Inf. To pub-crawl is to visit and give one’s custom to one pub after another, and pub-crawl is also the noun describing this function. publican, n. approx. saloon keeper The publican, also known as the landlord or pubkeeper, is the proprietor of a pub. See also landlord. public bar; public house. See pub. public bar; public house 281 public convenience comfort station A battle of euphemisms, both meaning ‘public toilet’; a municipal institution which still flourishes in some British towns and villages but seems to be disap- pearing in America. Public Lending Right see comment A scheme that pays writers from government funds for the borrowing of their books from public libraries in the UK. public prosecutor. See crown prosecuter. public school see comment Until the Middle Ages, children fortunate enough to receive any education were taught privately and locally: at home, in local churches, monasteries, etc. The term public school appeared in the 14th century to describe a new phenomenon: a school open to children from all over the country. The oldest of those schools still functioning are, by tradition, called public schools. Some date from the Middle Ages, others from the 19th century. The most famous are Eton and Harrow. Winchester, Westminster, and Charterhouse are just three examples of equal or greater antiquity. Other schools where students pay tuition (and often boarding) fees are called private or independent schools. public transport mass transit pudding, n. dessert Pudding is often shortened to (Inf.) pud, rhyming with good. But see dessert; see also sweet; afters. pudding club pregnancy Slang. In the pudding club (or simply in the club) means ‘pregnant.’ See also preg- gers and in pod. pudsy, adj. plump See also podgy; fubsy. puff, n. See poof. pukka, adj. genuine Of Hindi origin, meaning permanent, occasionally spelled pucka or pukkah; sometimes wrongly used to mean ‘super’ and ‘smashing.’ A pukka sahib is a real gentleman. pull, n. 1. extra measure 2. advantage 1. When you get more beer (or other liquid refreshment) than you ask for in a pub, you get a pull, also known as a long pull. To dispense real beer at a pub, a handle must be pulled. See also long pull. 2. To have a pull over someone is to have an advantage over him. pull down tear down House-wrecking term. 282 public convenience pulled down, Inf. Inf. under the weather pull one’s socks up Inf. shape up; get going Inf. To start moving, to show more stuff: He’d better pull his socks up if he wants to keep his job. Americans might say pull himself together. See also buck up. pull-up, n. diner Diners in America can be anything from shabby to magnificent. Pull-ups are usu- ally quite shabby, shacklike establishments. See also café; transport café. pull up Slang. bowl over In the sense of ‘make a deep impression on.’ Thus: It was a good play, but what really pulled me up was Derek’s performance. pull up sticks Inf. pull up stakes Inf. Fold one’s tent and move on. See also up-stick. pumpship, n. v.i. (take a) pee Inf. (Stressed on the first syllable.) Sometimes two words: pump ship. Originally nauti- cal, for pump out the bilge, it was extended to the general language to mean urinate. pun, v.t. tamp Pun appears to be a variant of pound. A punner is a tamper, i.e., a tool with which one tamps the earth, rubble, etc. punch-bag, n. punching bag Also given as punching-bag. punch-up. See dust-up. puncture, n. flat Puncture would sound old-fashioned or at least pedantic in America. Flat is slowly being adopted by the British. punka(h), n. ceiling electric fan An Anglo-Indian term for a large fan, usually of cloth in a rectangular frame, hanging from the ceiling and operated by a rope pulled by a servant known as a punka(h)-walla(h). By extension applied to ceiling electric fans, the kind one sees mostly in period movies. See walla(h). punner. See pun. punnet, n. small fruit basket A small basket for vegetables or fruit, traditionally woven of thin pieces of wood that are known in Britain as chip but now more commonly made of plastic. Strawberries and raspberries are sold in Britain by the punnet, which allegedly comes in one-pound and half-pound sizes, but the boxes may have crumpled paper at the bottom and thus contain as little fruit as possible. punter, n. bettor Technically, to punt is to bet against the house in a card game; but informally it means to ‘bet on a horse race’ or ‘speculate on the stock market,’ and the usual meaning is ‘bettor’ or ‘speculator’ as the case may be. See Appendix II.G.5 punter 283 for British betting terms. Punter can also mean ‘John’ or ‘trick’ in the sense of ‘prostitute’s client.’ More informally, it can mean any customer, especially one of a retail business. purchase, hire. See hire-purchase; never-never. purchase tax approx. excise tax Now replaced by the Value Added Tax, usually abbreviated to V.A.T. or VAT, pro- nounced either way. purler. See come a purler. purpose-built, adj. built to order Especially built for a given purpose, according to specifications, like a movie the- ater built as such instead of having been converted from an opera house. purse, n. money pouch Not used in Britain to mean ‘lady’s handbag.’ See also pocketbook. push, n. Slang. gate Slang. To get the push is to get the gate, be fired. See sack. push along, Inf. Inf. get moving push-bike Inf. bike Inf. As distinguished from motor-bike and moped. Also called push-bicycle and push- cycle. pushcart, n. baby carriage An occasional use; pushcart usually means ‘handcart,’ and the usual term for baby carriage is pram. Pushcart in the American sense is barrow in Britain. push-chair stroller Child’s folding chair on wheels. pushed for Inf. pressed for Inf. In Britain, one is pushed, rather than pressed, for time, money, etc. Pushed, used alone, generally means ‘pressed for time.’ Pushed for suggests scarcely able to find enough time, money, facilities, etc. push off! Slang. scram! Slang. Synonyms under buzz off. push-pin, n. thumbtack Synonymous with drawing-pin. push the boat out 1. Inf. outdo oneself 2. Inf. treat 1. Inf. To act more generously than the occasion requires; to be lavish, but not ostentatious. Often used in commenting on splendid entertainment one has enjoyed, particularly as a dinner guest: They didn’t half push the boat out! See half, 3. 284 purchase, hire 2. Inf. Often heard in the expression (so-and-so’s) turn to push the boat out, meaning that it’s his turn to pay for the next round of drinks, today’s trip to the movies, and that sort of thing. put about 1. Inf. put out (be a nuisance) 2. Inf. plant (a rumor) 1. Inf. As in: I hate to put you about, but I really need the shipment by tomorrow. 2. Inf. As in: It was put about that they were almost bankrupt. put a bung in it! Slang. shut up! Slang. An alternative to put a sock in it! Bung is easier to visualize than sock, somehow. put a foot wrong Inf. slip up Inf. Seen almost exclusively in the negative: He’ll never put a foot wrong, indicating a meticulous person. Sometimes one sees put a foot right, also in the negative: I can’t put a foot right today means ‘I shouda stayed in bed.’ put a sock in it! Slang. stow it! Slang. Or a bung if you prefer. The equivalent of Belt up! or Pack up! in Britain or Shut up! in America. put (someone’s) back up Inf. get (someone’s) back up Inf. The American form is occasionally used as well. put by brush aside As in: The difficulties facing us cannot be put by indefinitely, meaning permanently deferred. put down 1. put to sleep 2. charge 3. Inf. fold Three wholly unrelated meanings: 1. Euthanasia of pets. The British expression has now become common among dog breeders in America. 2. Put it down, please, is the way the customer asks the shop to charge it. Alterna- tively he might say, Please book it to me, or, Book it to my account. See also on the slate; on tick. 3. What a wise person does in a poker game when he senses that his chances are slim. put in hand. See have (something) put in hand. put (someone) in the picture explain the situation to (someone); bring (someone) up to date put it across (someone) Inf. let (someone) have it Inf. To punish. The teacher became angry at the obstreperous pupil and really put it across him. To put (something) across also has the usual American meaning of ‘put it over,’ i.e., accomplish the objective. put it across (someone) 285 put (someone) off disturb Inf. To put one off one’s balance, or off one’s stride. Off-putting is an adjective describing the person or thing that has that effect. It seems just the least bit pre- cious, perhaps jocularly, like other hyphenated adjectives ending in the participial -ing, like shame-making. It has the special flavor, sometimes, of appetite-spoiling, both literally and figuratively; it always connotes enthusiasm-dampening. put one’s arse to anchor, Slang. sit down put one’s back into Slang. knock oneself out at Slang. Expressing the idea of arduous devotion to a task at hand. See also do one’s nut, 1. put one’s feet up relax Inf. A dinner hostess might say to a tired friend: Come earlier and put your feet up. Putting one’s feet up connotes easy chairs, possibly a brief nap, freshening up, and in the case of a really kind hostess, even a drink. put one’s head down Inf. get some shuteye Inf. Also get one’s head down, snooze. put one’s hoof in Inf. get a word in edgewise put one’s shirt on Inf. bet one’s bottom dollar on put on side Slang. put on the dog Slang. See also side, 2. put paid to Inf. finish Inf. In the sense of ‘put an end to.’ Thus: The rain put paid to our picnic. Derived from the image of stamping ‘paid’ on a bill, thus putting an end to that transaction. put (someone’s) pot on Slang. squeal on (someone) Slang. To put Harry’s pot on is to squeal on Harry. put the boot in Inf. 1. kick hard 2. take a decisive step In sense 2, usually used for a move designed to conclude some difficult situation; When his grades didn’t improve, the head teacher decided he had to put the boot in. put the ‘phone down hang up Not as in America, where it means putting it down for a moment, as when inter- rupted by a knock on the door. put the pot. See pot, 1. put the shutters up Inf. fold Slang. To go broke and, if necessary, into bankruptcy. put the wind up. See under get the wind up. put through (on telephone), v.t. connect 286 put (someone) off put-to, n. Slang. brass tacks; crunch Slang. The Prime Minister makes brave speeches and fine promises, but when you get down to the put-to . . . putty, n. muddy bottom Nautical slang. The kind of stuff you should be careful not to get your keel stuck in. put up 1. v.t., raise 2. v.i., run for office 1. The rent is put up in Britain, raised in America. 2. Short for put up the deposit required of candidates. put up a black Inf. fall on one’s face Inf. To get a black mark; close to blot one’s copybook. put up the hare, Inf. Inf. get something going pye-dog, n. mongrel Also pie-dog and pi-dog. Term used in India for an ownerless mongrel, running wild. pylon, n. high tension tower pylon 287 288 QAA. See Honours (2). Q.C. See take silk. quad, n. approx. campus Inf. Oxford University term, short for quadrangle. It denotes a square bounded by college buildings rather than the whole campus. Some American colleges also use the term quad. The Cambridge equivalent is court. quadrillion. See Appendix II.D. Quango, acronym. see comment Acronym for ‘quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization.’ These are public bodies receiving government funding, and reporting/advising on official matters, but independent (in theory) of central government. quant, n., v.t., vi. boat pole A quant is a punting pole with a flange near the tip to prevent its sinking into mud, used to propel the boat along. As a verb, to quant is to pole the boat, or to punt. quantity, bill of. See bill of quantity. quantity surveyor materials appraiser Particularly in the contracting business, with expert knowledge of specifications and prices. quarrel with one’s bread and butter Inf. bite the hand that feeds one Inf. Generally, like its American equivalent, restricted to negative statements, e.g., One shouldn’t quarrel with one’s bread and butter. So don’t quit your job until you have lined up a new one. quart, n. See Appendix II.C.2. quarter, n. quarter of a pound Inf. One asks for a quarter of those chocolates (pointing) at the sweet-shop. Quar- ter of a pound would sound ponderous in Britain. This would apply equally, of course, to mushrooms at the greengrocer’s, nails at the ironmonger’s, etc. The usage has become steadily rarer as metrification has taken hold. quarter-day, n. approx. due date Quarter-days are the four days in the year when quarterly payments traditionally fall due in Britain and are the common dates for tenancy terms. They are: Lady q h Day (March 25); Midsummer Day (June 25); Michaelmas Day (September 29); Christmas Day (December 25). quartern, n. see comment Four-pound loaf of bread, but now archaic. quaver, n. eighth note Musical term. See Appendix II.F. quay, n. wharf/pier Pronounced key. (the) Queen 1. see comment 2. see comment 1. Inf. To stay at a dance through the Queen is to stay to the very end. The term dates from the days when it was usual to play God Save the Queen to close the pro- ceedings, and the Queen in this context is simply short for the title of the national anthem. 2. Inf. The toast to the Queen, known as the Loyal Toast. Queen Mother see comment The mother of the reigning monarch. Informally, Queen Mum. Queen’s Speech, n. see comment A speech written by the government, and delivered by the Queen, outlining the government’s agenda for the year at the beginning of a new parliamentary ses- sion. The Queen sits in the House of Lords, and Black Rod summons the Com- mons to listen. queer, adj. Inf. queasy Inf. Unwell or indisposed, not really ill. I went queer has no homosexual connota- tions whatsoever. See also sick. queer card, Inf. Slang. oddball (in) Queer Street Inf. hard up When the British talk of somebody’s being in Queer Street, they mean that he or she is in bad trouble, in a bad way, in bad odor. The expression originates in the custom of writing Quaere (‘enquire’) against a person’s account when it was con- sidered advisable to make enquiries about him before trusting him. queer the pitch stymie; thwart To queer someone’s pitch is to thwart him, to spoil his chances before he begins. A pitch is part of a cricket ground (field); in football (soccer) pitch is used to describe the entire playing field. To queer someone’s pitch, then, is to mess up his game, not literally, but figuratively in the sense of ‘spoiling his chances.’ There are some however, who claim that this term is not derived from cricket, but from pitch in the sense of the territorial prerogative of bookmakers and outdoor entertainers on the streets of London and other cities. quench, v.t. squelch To shut (somebody) up. quench 289 [...]... as dish; I prefer savoury dishes to sweet say boo to a goose Inf open one’s mouth Inf Have the courage to express disapproval Usually in the negative: He wouldn’t say boo to a goose, meaning ‘He was afraid to open his mouth (to say a word).’ Describes a milquetoast scarper, v.i., Slang Escape, run away Slang scram scatty, adj Slang whacky, absentminded Slang Americans are more apt to say scatterbrained... guard 314 screwed 1 Slang In the sense of ‘salary.’ It is hard to find an exact American slang equivalent Take may do, but it is broader than screw because it would cover the concept of profit as well as that of regular wages 2 Slang An old and shaky horse 3 Slang It is occasionally used to mean a ‘rumpled-up ball of paper’—the sort thrown into a wastebasket; at other times a ‘bit of salt or tobacco,’... for paying off before maturity Red Indian Native American When a Briton says Indian he means a ‘native of India.’ If he has in mind an American Indian, he says Red Indian redirect, v.t forward Directions to post office on envelope: Redirect to Americans would write Forward to red rag Inf red flag Inf Usually in the phrase a red rag to a bull, meaning something that enrages a bull redundant, adj... riveting means ‘utterly fascinating.’ roach, n small carplike fish Caught for sport only in streams and an occasional moat Eaten very rarely, if at all, nowadays road-metal See metalled road road, n way Inf The British use road in a number of instances where Americans use way In someone’s road means ‘in someone’s way,’ and to get out of someone’s road is to get out of his way But railroad is the common... tenants R .A. D .A Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Pronounciation rhymes with ‘Prada’ as an acronym.) radiogram, n radio-phonograph Radiogram is no longer heard much in Britain or in America R .A. F Royal Air Force This doughty band, who fought the Battle of Britain, are almost invariably referred to by their initials rag, v.t., v.i., n 1 v.i., v.t., Inf fool around; tease 2 n., Inf stunt; gag 1 Inf Rag... rag-and-bone man, Inf A peddler who deals in old clothes etc 293 Inf junkman raglan See Balaclava raid, n burglary In America raid brings up the image of a group assault of one sort or another, particularly military or police One reads in British newspapers of a raid made last night on a house or shop All it means is a ‘burglary,’ the work of one or more persons called raiders A dawn raid in the stock market... of British sailor, just above ordinary seaman rats! Slang Also ‘Nonsense’ or ‘I can’t believe it.’ rattling, adj., adv Inf hold in high esteem Inf And how! able seaman Slang baloney! 1 brisk 2 Slang damned 1 Inf A rattling pace is a brisk one 2 Inf A rattling good story is an unusually good one or more likely a damned good one In the adverbial use, rattling has about the same meaning as ripping raver,... ticket as something entitling one to see all the games at a given ball park In Britain it usually refers to train travel and can be valid for anything from a month to a year In this sense, it is occasionally shortened to season, as in railroad station signs reading please show your season A season ticket holder is a commuter Season ticket can also apply to a series of performances, in which sense it would... St Martin’s summer Indian summer St Martin’s summer Also called St Luke’s summer and Luke’s little summer Indian summer saithe See Appendix II.H salad, n and salad Chicken (ham, beef, etc.) salad on British menus means chicken (etc.) and salad: not the chopped up variety familiar to Americans In Britain you get a serving of chicken or other meat and a portion of salad Sally Army, abbrev Salvation... entrance examination, originally the first of three examinations for an Oxford B .A and colloquially called smalls The name was later applied to the entrance examination, which was abolished in 1960 There are now two examinations: moderations (called mods) and final schools (called Greats when the subject is classics) restaurant car dining car Another British name for this luxury, which is beginning to . tenants. R .A. D .A. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Pronounciation rhymes with ‘Prada’ as an acronym.) radiogram, n. radio-phonograph Radiogram is no longer heard much in Britain or in America. R .A. F etc. ravers. See stark ravers. (have a) rave-up, n. Slang. (have a) ball Slang. A helluva good time. razzle, n. Slang. spree; binge; toot Slang. Americans go on a spree; happy Britons go on the razzle her. Rather!, interj., Inf. Inf. And how! Also translatable as ‘without doubt!’ rating, n. able seaman Low rank of British sailor, just above ordinary seaman. rats! Slang. baloney! Slang. Also