Blog Archives
Does a British Person Actually Like You?
Yep, pretty much, right? Thanks to Overheard in Waitrose for this gem.
You sound like you’re from London …
I quite like this. My Brit-speak is getting rusty so always good to get a little refresher!
Watch out, scotch!
Watch out, Scotland! The English are quietly producing their own whisky. Check out this New York Times story about The English Whisky Company, based in Norfolk, which is igniting a homegrown whisky revival!
Those interested can order from their website and they will ship globally, including the U.S.
Shakespearean sayings
I spotted this on Facebook (on the REAL Peter Tork page!) and thought it was worth sharing! How many of these do you use every day? Thanks to William Shakespeare for adding more color to the English language!
English trifle with a side of comedy
For dinner parties and entertaining during the holidays, my husband will often make a trifle for dessert. Ladyfingers, fresh raspberries, jam with lashings of cream and sherry (or cointreau).
But every time he makes it, I can’t help but be reminded of that episode of “Friends” when Rachel prepares a very unusual “traditional” English trifle.
The art of skipping rope
My mental image of a girl skipping rope
These days, my ears are accustomed to British English. There aren’t too many expressions that I haven’t heard. But this weekend, well, I discovered a new one:
Skipping rope is the British equivalent to jump rope.
Yes, I laughed when I heard it. Jump rope just seems practical, no nonsense. It’s the kind of manly exercise that Arnold Schwartzenegger does in a gym, quickly shedding pounds. Skipping rope just sounds downright whimsical. The kind of pastime that cannot be done without bobby socks, pigtails, a kitten and maybe a bike with a bell and a basket in the background.
The hunt for granary loaf
Finding granary bread is a Holy Grail kind of search in the U.S.
As I understand it, the flour can’t be sourced in the U.S. and the secret is deeply guarded in the U.K. There are plenty of imposters, but nothing like a hearty granary loaf with a crisp crust and a complex, malty, nutty and duvet-soft interior. It will literally revolutionize your idea of wheat bread, if you’re a white-bread-is-always-better believer.
I’m definitely going to buy some granary flour the next time we’re in the U.K.!
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 …
BRITRISH.COM 