| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out 10:52 - Jan 29 with 3845 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
I'm amazed that 68% have never heard of or used the phrase “know your onions"!
Or that 71% don't know “nail your colours to the mast”.
I'm with the 78 percent who have never used the phrase “pearls before swine” though. Never heard of that one.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/british-language-phrases-dying-out-b978616.ht
EDIT: Actually, going through the list,“pearls before swine” is the only one I don't know. [Post edited 29 Jan 2022 10:55]
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:03 - Jan 29 with 2782 views | Darth_Koont |
I like the way the article frames it as “at risk” and “In jeopardy”, and starts off with:
“A new poll has revealed a list of traditional British sayings which may become extinct despite the UK having one of the most rich and diverse languages in the world.”
Not understanding that “rich and diverse” is only possible with people adopting new words and phrases and many necessarily passing into history.
And a lot of that survey looks like bobbins anyway. 30% wave goodbye with a “Pip pip”!!?? My arse. |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:19 - Jan 29 with 2714 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:03 - Jan 29 by Darth_Koont |
I like the way the article frames it as “at risk” and “In jeopardy”, and starts off with:
“A new poll has revealed a list of traditional British sayings which may become extinct despite the UK having one of the most rich and diverse languages in the world.”
Not understanding that “rich and diverse” is only possible with people adopting new words and phrases and many necessarily passing into history.
And a lot of that survey looks like bobbins anyway. 30% wave goodbye with a “Pip pip”!!?? My arse. |
I don't think it necessarily means they do it, but they've heard of it. | |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:27 - Jan 29 with 2679 views | Darth_Koont |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:19 - Jan 29 by The_Flashing_Smile |
I don't think it necessarily means they do it, but they've heard of it. |
Absolutely. But it’s the suggestion from a poorly written/poorly framed article.
Evolution of language and its usage is an interesting subject though. | |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:29 - Jan 29 with 2675 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
"Brand spanking new", is one I've not heard for a while. |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:33 - Jan 29 with 2652 views | WeWereZombies |
Well, as it is The Evening Standard, they do say that empty vessels make the most noise... |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:38 - Jan 29 with 2636 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:33 - Jan 29 by WeWereZombies |
Well, as it is The Evening Standard, they do say that empty vessels make the most noise... |
This is so TWTD... Lady Dollers, on her way to get her hair done, sent me this mildly interesting article. I thought, "Hmm, that's mildly interesting. I'm mildly surprised that so many people don't know some of these really well known phrases, I'll share that on TWTD and see if others agree." And two of the 3 replies are attacking the report and/or the publication! | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:45 - Jan 29 with 2601 views | Darth_Koont |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:38 - Jan 29 by The_Flashing_Smile |
This is so TWTD... Lady Dollers, on her way to get her hair done, sent me this mildly interesting article. I thought, "Hmm, that's mildly interesting. I'm mildly surprised that so many people don't know some of these really well known phrases, I'll share that on TWTD and see if others agree." And two of the 3 replies are attacking the report and/or the publication! |
Apologies! I did think it was a good subject and an interesting link. So definitely not attacking the messenger. | |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:54 - Jan 29 with 2560 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:45 - Jan 29 by Darth_Koont |
Apologies! I did think it was a good subject and an interesting link. So definitely not attacking the messenger. |
Thank god for small mercies! | |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:57 - Jan 29 with 2537 views | stonojnr |
I think "pearls before swine" is a phrase from the bible, so probably doesnt get used much in most conversations thesedays, I know Id forgotten about it.
but the rest I recognise and use frequently in some cases, Im guessing age might the factor, ask a bunch of under 30s and theyll probably think you were talking like Professor Stanley Unwin with those phrases...not that theyd know who he was either, deep joy :)
actually know your onions was on Pointless the other week as an answer, and was surprisingly low scored. |  | | |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:27 - Jan 29 with 2429 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 11:57 - Jan 29 by stonojnr |
I think "pearls before swine" is a phrase from the bible, so probably doesnt get used much in most conversations thesedays, I know Id forgotten about it.
but the rest I recognise and use frequently in some cases, Im guessing age might the factor, ask a bunch of under 30s and theyll probably think you were talking like Professor Stanley Unwin with those phrases...not that theyd know who he was either, deep joy :)
actually know your onions was on Pointless the other week as an answer, and was surprisingly low scored. |
I'm often reminded of the age gap between me and Lady Dollers, even though it's only 10 years, often through words and phrases, but also TV programmes.
For example, we were coming up with drag names the other day, as you do. I suggested Molly Wobbles, and thought that was quite clever. She was like, "What?!" I said, "Well it's like collywobbles." She'd never heard that word.
We also discovered recently that she's never seen, or even heard of, Bod. | |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:31 - Jan 29 with 2407 views | Keno |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:27 - Jan 29 by The_Flashing_Smile |
I'm often reminded of the age gap between me and Lady Dollers, even though it's only 10 years, often through words and phrases, but also TV programmes.
For example, we were coming up with drag names the other day, as you do. I suggested Molly Wobbles, and thought that was quite clever. She was like, "What?!" I said, "Well it's like collywobbles." She'd never heard that word.
We also discovered recently that she's never seen, or even heard of, Bod. |
Surely the best drag name would be Dolly Verbiage? |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:35 - Jan 29 with 2386 views | gtsb1966 |
I always thought the saying was "as flat as a witches tit" as I've heard people say that. You learn something new every day. |  | | |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:38 - Jan 29 with 2359 views | Trequartista |
I don't think i believe this survey. I would have expected these results from a survey of secondary school children, not 18-50 year olds.
I wonder what construed a correct answer, whether the answer had to be strictly 100% accurate. |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:40 - Jan 29 with 2360 views | blueislander |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:35 - Jan 29 by gtsb1966 |
I always thought the saying was "as flat as a witches tit" as I've heard people say that. You learn something new every day. |
What concerns me is the disappearance of the letter “t” from the middle of words. | | | |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:42 - Jan 29 with 2352 views | Keno |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:38 - Jan 29 by Trequartista |
I don't think i believe this survey. I would have expected these results from a survey of secondary school children, not 18-50 year olds.
I wonder what construed a correct answer, whether the answer had to be strictly 100% accurate. |
Where I live people don't know what I witches stool on a chimney is and why it would be there
I have come to the conclusion that I live surrounded by ignorant heathens, bunch of idiots the lot of them | |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:43 - Jan 29 with 2341 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:31 - Jan 29 by Keno |
Surely the best drag name would be Dolly Verbiage? |
Funnily enough, I hadn't thought of that. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:44 - Jan 29 with 2331 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:35 - Jan 29 by gtsb1966 |
I always thought the saying was "as flat as a witches tit" as I've heard people say that. You learn something new every day. |
Oh yeah, now you mention it. Actually that one is one I've only seen written on TWTD, never in real life. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:48 - Jan 29 with 2316 views | azuremerlangus |
A couple of my favourite expressions from my profession that are perhaps also dying out:
Shave off!
Two, Six lift |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:53 - Jan 29 with 2286 views | footers |
Load of codswallop. |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 13:03 - Jan 29 with 2238 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 12:48 - Jan 29 by azuremerlangus |
A couple of my favourite expressions from my profession that are perhaps also dying out:
Shave off!
Two, Six lift |
Never heard of either. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 13:20 - Jan 29 with 2148 views | gtsb1966 |
"teaching your grandmother to suck eggs" is another strange one. I've used "rare as hens teeth" on occasions. | | | |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 17:22 - Jan 29 with 1944 views | factual_blue |
'This is a great country' is one that fading rapidly from use. |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 17:25 - Jan 29 with 1932 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 13:20 - Jan 29 by gtsb1966 |
"teaching your grandmother to suck eggs" is another strange one. I've used "rare as hens teeth" on occasions. |
Indeed, where does that first one come from?
In fact, I am not sure I even want to know! |  |
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| Astonishing, the British phrases that are dying out on 17:38 - Jan 29 with 1887 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
I've not heard the 3rd one.
50% have not heard "he's a good egg" before! | |
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