# Brit-speak translation, please? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 10, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652 "2021-03-10T22:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/1 "2021-03-10T22:35:12Z")
After Piers Morgan’s departure from “Good Morning Britain”, the temporary anchor commented: "“We don’t call him Marmite for nothing.” Little help, here, O Brit posters? PS - this is purely a dialect question, not meant to raise any discussion about why Morgan left, etc. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/2 "2021-03-10T22:38:34Z")
[https://anglotopia.net/british-identity/english-language/a-brit-back-home-its-marmite-but-what-does-that-mean/](https://anglotopia.net/british-identity/english-language/a-brit-back-home-its-marmite-but-what-does-that-mean/) > Unilever, the maker of Marmite, has done a great marketing job with the Love-it-or-hate-it campaigns over the years, so much so that “It’s Marmite” has now become a stand-alone phrase in British English. > > According to the MacMillan dictionary online, > > > If something is described as **Marmite** , then there’s no way you can be indifferent about it or express minor shades of like or dislike. No, if it’s **Marmite** , then its very nature forces you to firmly sit in either the ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ camp. > > Although people have been using Marmite to describe polarizing things or people for a few decades, it can now stand on its own in a sentence, without anyone having to add clarification – “You either love it or hate it.” ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/3 "2021-03-10T22:41:17Z")
Interesting - thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/4 "2021-03-10T23:39:53Z")
Marmite is concentrated yeast, a by-product of beer brewing. It has a strong flavour and as stated above, it’s not to everyone’s taste. A little goes a long way and it should be spread very thin. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/5 "2021-03-10T23:44:45Z")
To put it in terms of a Canadian product: “Those who like it, like it a lot.” ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/6 "2021-03-10T23:58:01Z")
This old Pit thread, from about 10+ years ago, tells the essence of Marmite: > [@The Marmite Horror](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-marmite-horror/512627): > > If it appears that I write these words in haste, I beg your forgiveness - but my time is brief, for I cannot know how long my sanity will endure. For I have tasted of That Which Must Not Be Named - that which its acolytes, in foul ceremonies of ancient Pagan faiths, call “Marmite” - and I fear my mind cannot long endure the memory of that hideous flavour. My G-d, my G-d, my G-d - No. G-d help me, no! I will finish this, my last and greatest duty in this life. For the sake of my soul, that it mi… ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/7 "2021-03-11T00:08:56Z")
Really weird analogy. Does anyone actually like Piers Morgan? I thought he had alienated US and UK audiences for years. ---
**Author:** ![UDS1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47774/32.png) [@UDS1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS1)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/8 "2021-03-11T01:05:04Z")
Yes, but people really like being alienated. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/9 "2021-03-11T02:45:34Z")
Northern Piper, Marmite was part of a boy’s proper education at one of the schools I attended in Oakville, ON. When I was first introduced to it, I thought it was one of those “character building” trials, only to learn that some people love it. That’s when I first began to realize that although I am of British heritage, I’m Canadian. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/10 "2021-03-11T03:04:16Z")
oh, I’m familiar with Marmite. My Welsh grandmother used to bring it home after her trips to the UK. Just hadn’t heard the idiom “He’s Marmite” ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/11 "2021-03-11T03:38:49Z")
Huh. That’s really interesting! I happen to like Marmite pretty well (don’t love it). I like Vegemite slightly better. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/12 "2021-03-11T04:42:27Z")
> Does anyone actually like Piers Morgan? He has his supporters in the usual “He tells it like it is” quarters of the internet, even if perhaps they wouldn’t _like_ him (in the sense of going for a beer with him). ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/13 "2021-03-11T09:21:16Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > This old Pit thread, from about 10+ years ago, tells the essence of Marmite: > > [The Marmite Horror](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-marmite-horror/512627) That’s hilarious! > [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I happen to like Marmite pretty well (don’t love it). I like Vegemite slightly better. Our 5 year old asked for a Marmite sandwich in her school lunch recently, and then again, and again, and again! She’s actually getting Vegemite, but whatever, we will have that conversation with her when we discuss the truth about Santa Clause. The trick with both, as I’m sure you know, is to spread it thinly on butter. It’s also nice with cheese. I hadn’t heard Marmite used in reference to other polarising things, but it makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/14 "2021-03-11T10:28:25Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > Really weird analogy. Does anyone actually like Piers Morgan? I thought he had alienated US and UK audiences for years. It’s the TV show/company frankly making excuses for having employed him for so long. Saying ‘he’s marmite’ makes it look like some people must like/love him, so it’s ok for them to employ him. Sounds better than ‘he’s loathsome’. It’s a term I might use with my colleagues about a horrible client, trying to be diplomatic. Everyone in room will know I’m actually saying ‘he’s a dick’. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/15 "2021-03-11T10:51:56Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > It’s a term I might use about a horrible client…I’m actually saying ‘he’s a dick’. Your analogy to Marmite is illogical. Because a dick actually serves a useful purpose on this earth. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/16 "2021-03-11T11:03:05Z")
As a lesbian, I find considerable more uses for Marmite. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/17 "2021-03-11T11:04:30Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Our 5 year old asked for a Marmite sandwich in her school lunch recently, and then again, and again, and again! She’s actually getting Vegemite, but whatever, we will have that conversation with her when we discuss the truth about Santa Clause. The trick with both, as I’m sure you know, is to spread it thinly on butter. It’s also nice with cheese. [Vegemite, you say…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVKPrQv1H8I). Frankly, I’m with Amanda Palmer on that one. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/18 "2021-03-11T19:04:00Z")
Funny how much native idiom shift one misses after a long time away. I lived in the USA for about 3 decades & only recently came back to the UK a year ago. Much is the same, but there are a few ‘duh, what?’ things like this which come as a surprise! ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/19 "2021-03-11T19:13:14Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > It’s the TV show/company frankly making excuses for having employed him for so long. Saying ‘he’s marmite’ makes it look like some people must like/love him, so it’s ok for them to employ him. Sounds better than ‘he’s loathsome’. Except GMB ratings have definitely been helped by Piers Morgan so he obviously is marmite. Many viewers clearly like him. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652/20 "2021-03-11T20:29:12Z")
Indeed. > **[Piers Morgan: From Meghan's 'ghosting' to Good Morning Britain exit](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56326337)** > > The presenter left Good Morning Britain this week after a row over Meghan's interview with Oprah. > His absence will also almost certainly harm viewing figures. **ITV shares fell nearly 5% on Wednesday** , wiping almost £200m off its market value, following the announcement of Morgan’s departure. My Bold. (ITV being the network that made the show. Depressing, isn’t it?) j [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-speak-translation-please/937652.md?page=2)