Monthly Archives: December 2011
Bernard
Last week, I blogged about popular baby names in the U.K. versus the U.S. Which led me to start thinking about how some names are pronounced differently in the two countries.
Case in point: Bernard. Yesterday, we watched the lovely “Love Actually” as we do around the holidays. I’ve watched it a gazillion times but never caught on to the fact that Emma Thompson’s character’s son is named Bernard (minor, if completely irrelevant detail), which is pronounced in the usual British way (BER-nəd) as opposed to the American way (bur-NAHRD).
Bernard is a fascinating one, in particular because we’ve all grown up learning about the St. Bernard dog with the little barrel of brandy under its neck. It’s a bur-NAHRD that does this. Not BER-nəd. At least that is the pronunciation we have been programmed to hear. Having said that, I’ll say that BER-nəd is an altogether nicer pronunciation, which probably explains why it is still used in Britain and also why the American pronunciation of Bernard ranks #1413 on a popular baby names list in the US. It also may explain why I have never met a Bernard.
Father Christmas or Santa Claus?
I always forget that Brits call Santa “Father Christmas.” It doesn’t come naturally to me. He’ll forever be Santa to me.
But perhaps the British moniker will be fresh in my mind, thanks to this little addition to our library – “Father Christmas Needs a Wee!” by Nicholas Allen.
In this charming little book, it recounts all the different drinks that Santa, ahem, I mean Father Christmas imbibed over the evening (all non-alcoholic, I should add. He must’ve missed the glass of sherry waiting at our house), before he makes his very quick return to the North Pole and his loo and goes for a much-needed “wee.”
Clearly, this is a point that was completely missed in “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
The name game
John Corbett played Carrie Bradshaw's former flame Aiden in "Sex and the City." Aiden is the No. 1 boys' name in the U.S.
GIRLS
1. Sophia
2. Emma
3. Isabella
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Lily
7. Chloe
8. Madison
9. Emily
10. Abigail
BOYS
1. Aiden
2. Jackson
3. Mason
4. Liam
5. Jacob
6. Jayden
7. Ethan
8. Noah
9. Lucas
10. Logan
By comparison, the UK’s top baby names were released a few months back and Olivia and Oliver took the #1 spot.
GIRLS
1. Olivia
2. Sophie
3. Emily
4. Lily
5. Amelia
6. Jessica
7. Ruby
8. Chloe
9. Grace
10. Evie
BOYS
1. Oliver
2. Jack
3. Harry
4. Alfie
5. Charlie
6. Thomas
7. William
8. Joshua
9. George
10. James
It seems that there are a few cross-over names: Emily, Lily, Olivia and Chloe. But what about the boys? Apparently, that’s a harder sell. Brits don’t want to name their boys Logan or Mason and Americans won’t touch Alfie or Oliver.
I should add that the Daily Mail reported last month that adjectives are predicted to be the next big baby names in the UK. Names like Happy, True, Noble, Brave, Strong, Loyal, Loving, Sunny and Golden are going to be big, people.
I guess that beats Doc, Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Dopey and Bashful.
Fruitcake – a lovely thing? Whaa?
Delicious dessert or gag-inducing punchline? Take your pick. Photograph: Tastyart Ltd / Rob White/Getty Images
In the U.S., fruitcake is the Christmas punchline. It’s probably the most re-gifted holiday item on the planet, which then becomes a doorstop, paperweight or overall novelty item to whip out and threaten holiday guests with who overstay their welcome (and if necessary, it can also be used in deadly combat).
And so it is always a surprise to me at how much Brits love it. It’s better known as Christmas cake or Christmas pudding – always chockful of nuts, dried fruits and alcohol. It’s actually a welcome sight in the UK – a confection to be greeted with open arms rather than the sign of the cross.
It was, after all, the Brits who penned the famed, “Oh, bring us some figgy pudding and bring some right here!”
London Ork poster
Last Christmas, my husband received this San Francisco Ork poster.
This year, he’s asking Santa for the London neighborhoods version.
It comes printed on black soy-based ink or a blueish purple soy-based ink for $22. Even better, it ships to the US in one to three business days via UPS!
See, it’s not too late, my fellow procrastinators! And you’re welcome!
The Holiday
I love watching holiday films (“Love Actually,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Home Alone,” etc.) in the ramp up to Christmas.
Friday night we watched “The Holiday.” Have you seen it?
I’m always comforted by a Nancy Meyers movie, not only for the rom-com storyline but the lush interiors, gorgeous wardrobes, Hans Zimmer soundtrack and fabulous locations (hello, charming hobbit house in Surrey!). Endless eye candy. But I particularly love “The Holiday” for the side-by-side comparison at English and California life. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out!
2011 Pressie Guide
This weekend, I will be boosting the American economy by finishing the rest of my Christmas shopping. Okay, I’m being optomistic, but we can all hope for a little Christmas miracle.
In that spirit, I proudly present the first-ever Britrish.com Pressie Guide. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
Monocle Magazine’s Five Issue Gift Subscription, £45. Ships to the US or anywhere else on the globe. A discerning read for a discerning recipient.
Jonathan Adler’s British flag coaster set, made from 100% wool needlepoint. $45. The perfect partner to an IPA or creamy stout.
Adagio Teas 16-Ounce Ingenuitea Teapot, $17.45. The most convenient teapot you will find anywhere.
London map handkerchief, $12.95. Because runny noses like London, too.
London in a box. $17.95. Recreate your favorite London memories with this wooden collection, which includes Big Ben and the London Eye.
Kate Spade hedgehog coin purse, $95. Stylish little hedgehog purse puts boring coin purses to shame.
Masterpiece Theatre: Downton Abbey, $13.99. An already small-screen classic.
Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi, $21.63. Vibrant veggie recipes for carnivores and herbivores, alike.
Trunki, $39.99. The perfect pack, ride and pull along suitcase for trips to the UK and invented by a Brit.
Gruffalo, $6.99. This British Book Award winner is a sweet read for kids and grownups alike.
2011 Pressie Guide … Tomorrow!
Don’t forget to return here tomorrow for Britrish.com’s 2011 Pressie Guide, my top 10 gift picks for the pickiest of anglophiles (and their kids)!
Union jack kids’ bedrooms
The union jack is a fantastic design element. Take a gander at these children’s bedrooms, all using the union jack as a motif.
A special thanks to Mix and Chic for sourcing these photos.
Free Willy from Cornwall
Free Willy from Cornwall. He must have gotten lost.
I thought it was odd when the earthquake hit Cornwall last weekend. But today, when news broke that killer whales were spotted near Padstow? *Cue ‘Twilight Zone’ music* Just what in tarnation is going on in the West Country?
What next? Locusts? Unicorns? Dodos?
Distraught, I turned to ThisistheWestCountry.co.uk for the real scoop.
Strangely enough, I couldn’t find any news about the whales or the earthquake, although I was able to find an interesting story headlined “Man Arrested After Late Night Rant.”
Perhaps, I’ll wake up tomorrow and learn that I’ve just dreamt it all.
BRITRISH.COM 