Huh! Who knew?

[aibhinn]

Apparently, the phrase 'lucked out' has an exactly OPPOSITE meaning in the UK as it does here! I found this on shocolate's LJ, and was completely floored

Comments

[wendymr]

I'm not sure where you get that definition from, because I NEVER heard the expression 'lucked out', either growing up in Ireland and watching British TV, or in the 16 years I lived in England. I only ever heard it in the US, and for a very long time believed that it meant the same as being 'out of luck'. So, yes, it would definitely confuse British ears ;)

[aibhinn]

I got it from the LJ of a friend who was born and raised in London. I'd link you to her entry, but her journal's f-locked. She knew the latter definition, but not the former--though it may well be a phrase that's not anywhere near as common in the UK as it is here, or else a very regional thing, maybe?

[wendymr]

Just checked with my other half, born and raised in Brighton... he'd never heard the expression. His guess, though: 'means you were unlucky, yes?'

[morgaine_nicely]

WHAT? which tickets?? when????

[aibhinn]

Oh! That's the example shocolate used; I just copy-and-pasted from her LJ.

[morgaine_nicely]

yeah, gotcha ;)
hope you feel better soon hon
hugs!

[dharawal]

lucked out means the same thing in australia too, to have been unlucky, as in 'i lucked out on getting that job'

[aibhinn]

Huh. Watching American films/telly must be terribly confusing! (Who was it that said we speak the same language? THEY LIED.)

[debs7]

I've seen quite a few people using that term in fic these days and I usually have to stop, squint and then rearrange it so it makes sense in my head.