There quite a number of slangs used in here that many of us don't understand. May this thread help us to know what people mean:rolleyes:

For instance, Ditto?:confused: what does it mean?

Ditto is a Latin phrase and it simply means something along the lines of "and again".

i.e.

In census forms in the UK (thinking of 1850s, as I haven't seen a modern one) the members of a household would be listed with their age, name, and job title. Kids, typically, were listed as scholars and, if there was a succession of kids then the first would be listed as a scholar while the rest were listed as ditto. Likewise, any repetition of something in a list.

It simply means the same again or can be used in the me too context.

i used ditto - out of ghost (the movie) and took it to mean 'me too'

as a form of shorthand for lists, usually handwritten, used to indicate the word above it should be repeated and designated by double quotation marks:

Forms!Form1!controls(1)
" " "controls(2)
" " "controls(3)
etc.

as a form of shorthand for lists, usually handwritten, used to indicate the word above it should be repeated and designated by double quotation marks:

Forms!Form1!controls(1)
" " "controls(2)
" " "controls(3)
etc.

Hope you don't mean

Forms!Form1!controls(1)
Ditto controls(2)
Ditto controls(3)
:D :D :D :D :D

Hope you don't mean

Forms!Form1!controls(1)
Ditto controls(2)
Ditto controls(3)
:D :D :D :D :D

actually...yes. The quotes are read as "ditto". The alignment is off on the display, but I suppose to be more accurate:

Forms!Form1!controls(1)
" " " "(2)
" " " "(3)

I've only seen ditto explained with two " instead of four.

I've seen it used with two, with two for each omitted word, and with as many as will fit in the space. Don't think anyone has a clue, really...it is English after all:eek:

That's true. I've seen two for each omitted word more often than just two for a group. Are there even any English standards for this?

OK, along these lines I had to ask a Brit friend here what was meant by the term "hangers and Belt" (I hope I have that right) and found out it meant Suspenders and Belt (in USA talk). I was in an Email conversation with a vendor on some issues I was having with their software, and he was going through the testing proceedures, and in the context of double checking everything he used that slang instead. First time I have ever heard that.
Then there is always that good ole British "Brilliant!" which I think we pretty much all know, but don't really use in the USA.

That's true. I've seen two for each omitted word more often than just two for a group. Are there even any English standards for this?
I don't know what you mean; it is not really grammar. In engineering drawings or legislature you couldn't use anything like this because is could be mistaken for something else. That's why there are standards for annotation in each field. In fact it isn't really good practice to use it at your workplace for the very reason skea has drawn attention to. ",i,1,I,l,j,0,o, can all be confused when used as annotation that's why there are international standards like ISO.

I don't know what you mean; it is not really grammar. In engineering drawings or legislature you couldn't use anything like this because is could be mistaken for something else. That's why there are standards for annotation in each field. In fact it isn't really good practice to use it at your workplace for the very reason skea has drawn attention to. ",i,1,I,l,j,0,o, can all be confused when used as annotation that's why there are international standards like ISO.

On my quote being sarcasm? :p

OK, along these lines I had to ask a Brit friend here what was meant by the term "hangers and Belt" (I hope I have that right) and found out it meant Suspenders and Belt (in USA talk).

Its actually "Belt and Braces" - it means making absolutely sure something is ok by overdoing it. e.g. hanging a picture with a 4" screw and nailing each corner too.

Suspenders in the UK are worn usually by females to hold up stockings - any man confessing he wears suspenders would be treated suspiciously (if you get my drift)

What you call suspenders in the USA we call "braces", if you come to the UK don't go into a shop (if you are a male) and ask for suspenders:eek:

Col

"Forget about it" aka. "Fuhgetaboutit"
I grew up with this one since I'm Sicilian..but alot of people don't understand it's many uses. I thought it was clearly defined in the movie "Donnie Brasco" in one scene where several under cover cops were discussing it. Very funny scene :)

And how is that pronounced Kodo.

if you come to the UK don't go into a shop (if you are a male) and ask for suspenders:eek:

Col
Unless you're shopping for the mrs' chrisie pres.:D

And how is that pronounced Kodo.
Th>>>>at >>>>>>>>> that

And how is that pronounced Kodo.

fuh-get-a-bowt-it

Do you actually pronounce any of the 't's?

Being from Canada I don't understand what any of you hosers are talking about EH

Do you actually pronounce any of the 't's?

Americans don't hit their Ts as hard as the Brits.
So, to YOU it would sounds more like fuh-ged-a-bowd-it.

And again, the last T would be much softer than a properly hit British T... which, as you remember was thrown into the harbour ages ago. :rolleyes:

And again, the last T would be much softer than a properly hit British T... which, as you remember was thrown into the harbour ages ago. :rolleyes:
LOL :D :D :D

brian

Americans don't hit their Ts as hard as the Brits.
So, to YOU it would sounds more like fuh-ged-a-bowd-it.

And again, the last T would be much softer than a properly hit British T... which, as you remember was thrown into the harbour ages ago. :rolleyes:

:D

You sound like a music teacher.

:D

You sound like a music teacher.
She brings music to our ears:cool:

Americans don't hit their Ts as hard as the Brits.
So, to YOU it would sounds more like fuh-ged-a-bowd-it.

And again, the last T would be much softer than a properly hit British T... which, as you remember was thrown into the harbour ages ago. :rolleyes:

I guess a real English-dragging American would pronunce it like "Fu-ge-ab-a-uti"
And an American Speaking Brit would say "Fuh-ged-a-bout-i."
Just like God is Pronounced Gad...err...Gud!

She brings music to our ears
Isnt it meant to be "She brings music to our eyes"

In the USA :

I ate my heart out means I had a delicious meal.

I spent time in the big house means I was in jail.

Another word for jail is 'slammer'.

When the sales clerk says "Dollar ten", it means one dollar and 10 cents.

Ya’ll: you in it most elegant form.

In the USA :
I ate my heart out means I had a delicious meal.

That must be one of the reasons mike couldnt stand the brit:cool:

I spent time in the big house means I was in jail.

Jail is a always a big house to accomodate many blacks.

In the USA :

I ate my heart out means I had a delicious meal.




Maybe; but I’ve never heard I used that way.

“Eat your heart out” means the same as “Read em and weep”.

Which means, “I won, and you are so jealous”.

The term “Read em and weep” comes from poker, when you clobber someone.

Shoot yourself in the foot
Asking a child how many barrels on a double barrel shotgun
Foot in mouth
Head where the sun don't shine
Texas road bump

Shoot yourself in the foot
Asking a child how many barrels on a double barrel shotgun
Foot in mouth
Head where the sun don't shine
Texas road bump
You have to tell us what they mean FOFA

You have to tell us what they mean FOFA
Why do you have a "Lone Star" and ask about a Texas Road Bump?

In the USA :

I ate my heart out means I had a delicious meal.
I have to agree with jsanders on this one. In the midwest we'd probably say "That hit the spot".

Why do you have a "Lone Star" and ask about a Texas Road Bump?



Born and Raised,

I mean you have to tell them what it means.

A New York minute
A country mile

A New York minute means real quick
A country mile means a long ways.

A blue moon

A long time

Over yonder; just over there within shooten distance, actually within eye sight.

Shooten distance; If you're from Texas that’s about as far as you can see.

Plum tuckered; you can’t get any more exhausted than that

This dog won’t hunt: It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.

Texas Tea: Oil

“Ass from a hole in the ground”: It’s about as stupid as a person can be.

The actual usage would be something like this:

Rich you don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground. Which translates out to, Rich you have no clue what you’re talking about.

But then someone else listening in might say “so what else is new” which is a sarcastic slang for everybody knows that already.

Now normally you would say it to someone you like in a joking way. And you probably would not use it in polite company.

Shit from Shinola
Which means more or less means the same as “hole in the ground”, but the inference is more like ignorance rather than stupidity.

Shinola was a brand of boot polish so if you were not very experienced or if you were simple you might try to polish your boots with the other.

Wild Goose Chase;

Looking for a place and having absolutely no idea where you’re headed.

Chicken with his head cut off;

1. Jumping around not making any sense.
2. running around in circles letting off steam
3. Working very hard and not accomplishing anything.

Usage: Rich makes post like a chicken with his head cut off. Meaning he makes lots and lots of post but none of them are intelligible.

Once again this is usually a term of affection. Generally older and wiser people say it to the youngens (children)

Note: notice the time, This is a guy that has nothing to do but sit up all night and talk to his computer.

Watchin' the paint dry. Or watchin' the grass grow.

Sitting around contemplating the nature of things
Being lazy on a Sunday afternoon.
Or you could use it to describe someone with lots of patience. Like that boy is so patient he could watch the grass grow.

Holdin’ up a wall;

When someone is being lazy and leaning up against the wall you ask them if they’re holding up the wall.

Stacked like a brick wall;

A juvenile expression about a woman’s breast size.

A forked tongue. Someone who lies.
Usage: He speaks with a forked tongue.

Two Faced; someone that pretends to like you and talks badly behind your back.

An Indian giver.

This is an interesting one.

It means that you give someone something and then take it back.

The implications was that the Indians (Native Americans) were guilty of that . When in truth the United States made many treaties with the natives and then reneged on them whenever the land the tribe occupied became valuable

A back stabber;
Similar to a two face but much more devious and sinister. A back stabber will make you think they’re an ally then do something treacherous to you when you least expect it.

Busier than a one legged man in a butt kickin contest.
'very busy

Couldn't find his butt with both hands in a phone booth.
'not very smart (dumb)

Meaner than a one eyed rattle snake.
'pretty mean

Happier than a puppy with two peckers.
'pretty happy

Went over like a fart in church.
'something didn't go too good

Madder than a wet hen.
'pretty mad

So hungry the calves of my legs are bawling for milk.
'pretty hungry

I had two country boy Grandpa's born in the South and I was raised in a small town so I guess I was just raised on them.

Busier than an 'one armed wall paper hanger' means very busy.

'Shrink' means head shinker (psychiatrist)

'Living high on the hog' means having a good life. I do not know the origin of this slang.

Things went 'kaput' means not good (bad news).

Stepped in more than you can wipe off.
'Ususally meant I was in trouble

Nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rockin' chairs.
'nervous or anxious

Lower than a snakes belly in a wagon track
'pretty low; got the blues

Don't have a pot to piss in.
'broke; no money

He's a long drink of water
'he's tall

The following all refer to someone who's cheap (doesn't like to spend money):

penny-pincher
mean
thrifty
dear (used as an adjective)
short arms and deep pockets
left town for two weeks with one shirt and a five dollar bill and came back without changing either one.
he can pinch a nickel so hard he makes the beaver cry (Canadian)

Bit off more than you can chew.
Over commented.

I'm as confused as a termite in a yo-yo
'confused; not getting it.

Kiss her all night and never it the same place twice
'Big woman

I wish I could buy you for what your worth and sell you for what you thought you were worth
'someone with an over inflated opinion of themselves

FAT:
More Chins than the Hong Kong phone book

Ok, OK
"Shoot yourself in the foot" - can be used in more than one way, but typically means you did something dumb brought on by yourself.
"Asking a child how many barrels on a double barrel shotgun" - A dumb act, ask a child how many barrels, they will typically look DOWN the barrels to count them (hope that sucker aint loaded).
"Foot in mouth" - Same as "dig'n yourself a hole" typically, saying something stupid or get'n yourself in trouble (deeper) also "Keep dig'n that hole deeper) goes along with "takes one foot out and puts the other in" saying something stupid, Twice, or keep'n saying something stupid.
"Head where the sun don't shine or Head up ass" - Can't seem to see the facts in front of them, chooses to ignore the obvious, etc.
"Texas road bump" - an armadillo, see attached for a look at how most see them in Texas.

I eat Armadilas
and I eat road kill
but not armadila raod kill.

If they told her to haul ass, she'd have to make two trips
'lady with a big back side

By the time I'm finished with you the doctor ain't goin'a ask what happened, he's just goin' to ask how ya got loose.
'Can be used right before you start fighting

Tit in a wringer
'in a tuff spot

Hung up like two dogs
'something that's stuck

I'm so hungry I could eat the rear end out of a skunk
'pretty hungry

As fine than Frog Hair!
Means: Doin' really good!

So good make you slap grandma!
Means: That was the best supper I ever had!

Saltier than boiled seawater (should be self explanitory)
cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey - See here (http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bra1.htm)
colder than a witches tit - See here (http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/12/messages/583.html)
Thicker than molasses in winter - From when I lived in Yankee land, means so thick will not flow.

Legs that go up and make a butt out of themselves
'nice, long legs

So tight you couldn't pull a dollar bill down his ass crack.
'some one who holds on to their money.

If I tell ya a cow is 12 ft. tall you better look up.
'someone who's giving an example of how truthful they are

So hungry my stomach thinks my throats be cut
'someone who's hungry

That looked like two badgers havin' a fight in a gunny(sp?) sack.
'woman with big boobs

She had two puppies under her shirt! I saw their noses.
'woman on a cold day

colder than a witches tit


Farther into "Yankee Land" (three years in Upstate NH) this particular one has three levels,

Colder than a witch's tit...
Colder than a witch's tit in a brass brassiere...
Colder than a witch's tit in a brass brassiere in a broomstick power-dive...:eek:

Kawa "Cool or Fine "
Usage: I feeling kawa.:D

Brew Games "boiling,cooking"
Usage: My stomach is playing brew games.

To Ball "To Play Sex"
Usage: Lets go and Ball Now.;)

Whats Happyslapping?
Used by SJ

Looks like/acting like the south end of a north bound horse (there are many variants to this one, and should be self explanitory)
Would not touch that with a 10 foot pole - don't want to be any where close to whatever is being refered too, could include words even.
Looks like someone beat him/her with an ugly stick - not a pretty person.
If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you? Something parents tell their kids when they did something (usually wrong) with a group of friends.

He can eat corn on the cob through a picket fence
'someone with gaps between their teeth

She has to run around in the shower to get wet
'really thin girl

All your taste is in your mouth
'usually what my mom said to me about the way I dress

Elevator goes to the top but the light don't work and the bell don't ding
'someone who's not playing with a full deck

Like two por·cu·pines making love, just glad to get it over with
'something your glad is over

Pay attention or I'm goin-a loose you like a ball in tall weeds
'when you want someone to really listen to what your saying

Elevator goes to the top but the light don't work and the bell don't ding
'someone who's not playing with a full deck
A slang explaining a slang, two for the price of one!
Screw Loose - not playing with a full deck
Elevator (lift) stuck on stop - not playing with a full deck OR slow, not progressing
Obviously you have your mind made up, don't confuse you with the facts - Rich/Collin and upon occasion Kraj and JS :D

Obviously you have your mind made up, don't confuse you with the facts - Rich/Collin and upon occasion Kraj and JS :D
How about

Couldn't see a barn door = the inability to copy a name correctly, presumably due to eyesight problems:p :rolleyes:

Col

Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn - usually envolved with sports related things, like throwing/kicking a ball, shooting (in the US anyway) which pretty much means bad shot.
Can't see the forrest for the tree's - can't see the obvious
If it was a Snake it would have bit you - can't see the obvious (usually my wife says this to me when I am looking for something).

Dumb as a stump
'self explanatory

Dead as a door nail
'self explanatory

Fast as greased lightening
'self explanatory

Can't see the forrest for the tree's - can't see the obvious

This is actually is derived from Shakespeare’s MacBeth.

We love him to death - we love him very much (a strange expression)

He tipped the bottle too much - had a severe alcohol problem.

My house is so small that when I turn to cuss the cat I get a mouthful of fur.
'discribing how small something is.

Don't get your undies in a bunch.
- Relax; don't get upset

Don't get your undies in a bunch.
- Relax; don't get upset
Or don't get your knickers in a twist

Or don't get your knickers in a twist

or; Don't get your nuts in a knot

or; Don't get your nuts in a knot

Don't get your panties in a wad.

Don't get your panties in a wad.
Keep your hair on.

How about

Couldn't see a barn door = the inability to copy a name correctly, presumably due to eyesight problems:p :rolleyes:

Col
he's blind as a bat:rolleyes:

2 responses to when someone asks "How are you"

*"If I complained you wouldn't listen any way."


*"If I was any peachier I'd have fuzzy on me."

"Sweating like a black man, trying to vote twice at an all white election"
'Discribing how much your sweating

"This is enough to make a preacher cuss"
'Something you would say when things are frustrating

"Harder than the devil's head"
'Discribing how hard something is

Lucy Gucy - anything goes, No rules etc.

Hanky panky - illicit love affair.

By the time I'm finished with you the doctor ain't goin'a ask what happened, he's just goin' to ask how ya got loose.
'Can be used right before you start fighting
'pretty hungry

British version:
I'm guna knock your teeth so far down your throat you'll have to stick a toothbrush up yer arse to clean them.

I'm goina knock a pop knot on your head so big a calf could suck on it!
'Big enough hit to cause a huge lump on your head

'Something a guy might say when it's cold
I had to stick my thumb in my butt and holler snake, just to get it to come out.

I live so far out in the country, I live closer to the next town
'someone who lives way out in the country

Your voice has changed but your breath is still the same.
'something said to someone who just passed gas

I'm not as good as I once was but I'm as good once as I ever was
'anyone over 40 yrs. can relate

Once a king always a king but once a night is enough
'do I need to explain?

Hamster Love -- Where you love 'em so much, you wanna just hug 'em tight enough to make their eyes buldge out! :D

Hamster Love

Isn't that what Richard Gere practices?

Isn't that what Richard Gere practices?

:eek: You didn't go there did you. Tsk..tsk!

It is a sweet term to show how much you love your SO. That means you love'em alot.

Hamster Love -- Where you love 'em so much, you wanna just hug 'em tight enough to make their eyes buldge out! :D
Would that be before or after they've emptied their pouch?:confused:

Would that be before or after they've emptied their pouch?:confused:

I think it would be cute if done before, and you get a barage of hamster food in the face. ;) However, I do remember when I was a kid feeding my hamster, and awing in amazement how much food they could pack away.

I thought that phrase was adorable, and I adore hamster. They don't toss nuts at you and laugh at you. They can bite the dickens out of you, but for the most part sweet and cuddly.

The narrower the cage, the sweeter the liberty.
The nearer the bone, the sweeter the flesh.
The nearer the church the farther from God.
The nearer the inn, the longer the road.
The nearer the minster the later to mass.

"Just because a cat's born in an oven, don't make it a biscuit."

Reply to someone when what they say doesn't add up to the way it is.

They'll never have to hold a tag day for him.

Regarding someone who's well off