The Britpick Post

[wendymr]

Since I'm getting asked Britpick questions here and there around LJ, and I've said before that I never mind being asked Britpick-related questions, here's a permanent thread for asking those kind of questions. I'm going to set comment notifications on for this post, and also create a tag for it.

I still do recommend

Comments

[lt_kitty]

I have no idea if this is a British customs question, or an example of my really poor hearing, but in the 8th Doctor audio drama "Shada," the Doctor makes two references in the first episode to going "ponting."

I tried google and wikipedia, but I still haven't a clue what he's talking about.

The Doctor was talking about his 4th incarnation's adventures with Romana, so possibly referencing events from The City of Death or the Keys of Time serials.

[dark_aegis]

That's punting, actually. And punting is basically using a long pole to push along a flat-bottomed boat in a small river/stream. *remembers this audio and the episode well* If you watch 'The Five Doctors', the scene with Four and Romana in a boat tacked on at the beginning is from that episode, though sadly filming 'Shada' was never completed.

[lt_kitty]

Ah, thank you! That helps.

I was too sleepy when googling the word to even think of looking up paronyms. Damn.

[wendymr]

Yes, definitely punting. Have you ever seen films/dramas/documentaries/travel programmes visiting Oxford or Cambridge? The flat-bottomed boats you see on the rivers there (the Thames and the Cam) with one person standing up in front (or can also be at the back) with a long pole are punts. It's a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon :)

[brilliantomega]

[brilliantomega]

One more:

[wendymr]

Ooh, those are nice :)

Except... the only problem is that the 'Brit' bit is covering Ireland, which is kind of like having 'United States' over Canada on a map *grin* Although, when it comes to British English, Irish usage is almost identical, so... *shrug* I dunno.

But yay! I have Britpick icons to choose from! :)

[brilliantomega]

Ireland *facepalm*

I blame being sick with a head cold. I can always paint out Ireland *wink* Kinda hard to get UK and not Ireland off a satellite image.

[estel_angel]

Also in regards to bread rolls in hull they are called breadcakes which was very confusing as a scouser we call them barmcakes

[glory_jean]

Okay, I was inspired by the icon request and I made these ages ago, but I am a procrastinator by trade.

[wendymr]

Ooh! Loverly! :)

*snags icon* Thank you!

And, yes, feel free to 'impose' - that's what this post is for, after all. Always glad to help!

[glory_jean]

Okay completely random question, but this is something that's been bugging me. From context, I gather that a "flannel" is the same as a "washcloth." But this leads me to the following ponderism: are washclothes in UK made of flannel fabric as opposed to looped terry like towels? Or maybe more like the really thin, fine looped terry that baby towels are made of?

Not a terribly important question or anything, but gives you an insight into the inner workings of my mind. (Yikes, run while you still can :D ).

[wendymr]

'Flannel' is a UK term for a facecloth (which is what I was brought up to call it). I think the two are interchangeable. It's exactly the same as facecloths/washcloths in North America.

here is the Chambers Dictionary definition.

Thing is, 'flannel' to mean a fabric isn't used very much in the UK. From what I understand North American flannel to be, we'd call it brushed cotton. It's the sort of soft cotton used for things like pyjamas, warm nightdresses, checked shirts and so on, yes? That's brushed cotton in the UK :)

Hope this helps!

[glory_jean]

Ooh, thanks. I can put my mind to other randomness now.

From what I understand North American flannel to be, we'd call it brushed cotton. It's the sort of soft cotton used for things like pyjamas, warm nightdresses, checked shirts and so on, yes? That's brushed cotton in the UK

Yep, that's flannel. Also used for those fuzzy sheets that are much too hot for coastal SoCal. :D I have actually run across the term "brushed cotton" in these parts. It's very uncommon though and only those creative types who buy fabric by the yard will ever see it.