Category Archives: Culture
Another blow to pets in Britain
A week or so ago, I blogged about the breading cat craze that’s taking over the Internets.
I tried to bread my cat this weekend. She was decidedly uncooperative. So was my bread. The slice was made weakened once I carved out the middle and then she bolted each time I moved toward her with the altered slice. This was the best result I could get:
I’m starting to think breading is just a Photoshop exercise.
In any case, the BBC has reported on another blow for British pets.
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Tasteful Royal Wedding memorabilia
I love shopping on Etsy. I recently discovered HouseThatLarsBuilt that does some delightful (and tasteful!) royal wedding memorabilia, including dinner plates, mugs and this sweet processional map.
Ode to the Oxford comma
Let’s take a moment to give some love to the Oxford comma, which was traditionally used by printers, readers and editors at Oxford University Press.
Although the University of Oxford has officially dropped the Oxford comma in their style guide, there is still a case for keeping it around.
Below are two illustrative examples:
and …
American English vs. British English in one picture
A big thanks to @atlanticist for directing me to this:
Drag queen dancing 101
Meet the Globe Girls, a UK-based drag troupe. Photo credit: The Globe Girls
London is home to some pretty amazing drag queens, who could teach anyone a thing or two about wearing platform heels, applying false eyelashes and just being fabulous, dahling.
They are sharing some of their best-kept secrets in the Latin bar/restaurant Floridita in Soho. It’s called Drag Queen Dance Class, hosted by the Globe Girls, and it’s ever bit as amazing as you would imagine.
Give them 90 minutes and they’ll teach you how to workout in heels to some of Beyonce’s best pre-baby numbers, followed by a cocktail for £25. A lesson in lashes and walking in the highest of heels are included. More information here.
Totes Amaze
Sometimes an expression just comes along that grabs me. For awhile it was “bajiggety,” as in out of sorts, confused, flustered, upset. It was used in “The Sweetest Thing” with Christina Applegate and Cameron Diaz and I latched on. It is a stellar phrase.
But it’s been surpassed by “totes amaze,” as in totally amazing. The Brits are using it. It’s whimsical, youthful, and little stupid. It’s the two words that British singer Lily Allen tweeted right after having her baby.
Totes amaze. Coming soon to the U.S.
Happy Epiphany
I just had an epiphany last night … that today is Epiphany! The 12 days of Christmas are finally done (yes, so many Americans believe the 12 days of Christmas comes in the run up to Christmas Day but in fact, the countdown begins after Christmas is over).
What’s it all about? What’s it all mean?
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Watching the English
My mother-in-law kindly bought me “Watching the English” for Christmas, a fantastic little book that actually breaks down the rules of English behavior (er, I mean behaviour). Subjects range from dress codes to driving, office-party rules to Christmas and New Year’s rules.
A must-read for anyone interested in a hilarious and truthful dissection of the English culture!
Happy Boxing Day!
Zellers Canada: Boxing Day Flyer
Happy Boxing Day!
Boxing Day? Well, yes. It is an honest to goodness holiday in Britain and aside from being one more guaranteed day off from work following the Christmas holiday (Dec. 26th is not a public holiday in the U.S.), it is also the official day of boxing up old toys, belongings and, you know, junk that we no longer use and box it up.
Or maybe that’s just us and how we celebrate the holiday.
In fact, there are a few theories about the origins of Boxing Day. Check out the Time Magazine story.
However you’re celebrating this special sleeper holiday, I hope it finds you smiling!
Dec. 9th
Procrastinators, start your engines!
We are exactly 10 days from this year’s international mail deadline – Dec. 9th (i.e. the last possible day that you can mail from the U.S. to the United Kingdom and ensure that it gets there by Dec. 25). My list is long, which is why this blog post is short today.
Yeah, I think I know how Santa feels.
BRITRISH.COM 