# Rude English words the yanks don't get! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 25, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523 "2003-10-25T18:11:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/41 "2003-10-26T08:28:56Z")
What ever happed to _blackguard_? I liked that a lot but I haven’t heard anyone use it in years. What did it mean other than an unsavory fellow? This isn’t a naughty word, but it is certainly useful: _rubbish!_ (Spoken with a slight roll to the _r_.) It’s so…so…Ethel Barrymore… ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/42 "2003-10-26T08:52:24Z")
Piss would have to be the best word ever. It’s so multi functional. Piss off…Go away. Stop taking the piss…Stop making fun of me. I’m pissed…I’m drunk. He’s a pisshead…he drinks to much. I need a piss…I need a tinkle. I am so pissed off…Gosh I’m angry. To the person that asked if bloody was a strong word. No mate it’s as week as piss…not very bloody strong. Bloody would berely raise an eyebrow in most company. The best word ever is bugger. Nothing shows anger, disapointment, frustration etc better then bugger. And it’s perfectly correct too. We have an ad for a car where the only spoken word is bugger. Pure genius. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/43 "2003-10-26T09:08:18Z")
“Gobshite” is a good one as well. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/44 "2003-10-26T09:12:17Z")
I would have to add that “fannypack” is the rudest non-rude word I ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![madbuttface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@madbuttface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madbuttface)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/45 "2003-10-26T09:22:11Z")
you forgot “on the piss”-----I’m drinking—maybe that’s a bit of Oz though Im English living in Oz and many of these are very valid. However some of the meanings are a bit wrong A minger–An ugly Chick A ginger-- Anyone who’s a redhead Grass Up-- To dob in (tell the authorities) and what the Smeg does Fair Dinkum mean?? ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/46 "2003-10-26T09:29:34Z")
I knew I would have forgotten at least one. I’m just surprised it was getting on the piss though. 😃 And fair dinkum is just a secret code word to identify Aussies from the rest of the world. That is if the horrendous accent doesn’t give it away. Ok I’m joking! I know, I just opened up the whole sheep joke thing now. ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/47 "2003-10-26T10:13:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spogga \* > \*\*Minge=Vagina > Mott=Vagina \*\* minge actually generally refers to the same as muff so basically pubic hair (female) although thats just in my experience and swear words have different meanings everywhere ---
**Author:** ![Eolbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@Eolbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eolbo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/48 "2003-10-26T10:47:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by madbuttface \* > \*\* > and what the Smeg does Fair Dinkum mean?? \*\* It means true dinks. The expressions I’ve always liked are: Fair suck of the sav and Dont come the raw prawn ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/49 "2003-10-26T11:47:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by masonite \* > Re: Mickey: > > [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_092.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_092.html) No, that article is about Mickey Finns, the noxious drinks. “Taking the mickey” is completely different. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by caveman \* > ponce? > birk? My dictionary gives this for **ponce** : _Derogatory slang, chiefly Brit. ~n._ 1. a man given to ostentatious or effeminate display in manners, speech, dress etc. 2. another word for pimp. _~vb._ 3. (_intr._; often followed by _around_ or _about_) to act like a ponce. [C19; from Polari\*, from Spanish _pu(n)to_ male prostitute or French _pront_ prostitute]. **Birk** should be spelt **berk** and is rhyming slang. I hope I don’t have to explain rhyming slang in full, but the derivation is berk = short for Berkley Hunt (a certain group of fox hunters), which rhymes with another rude word used to mean either a part of the body only half of us have, or a contemptible or ridiculous person. \*Polari is a gay slang dating from the days when it was illegal to be gay > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ruadh \* > “Gobshite” is a good one as well. A personal favourite of mine; as in the expression “Koppites are gobshites”. Say it daily like a mantra ;). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by madbuttface \* > you forgot “on the piss”-----I’m drinking—maybe that’s a bit of Oz though No, we use that one too. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/50 "2003-10-26T12:33:02Z")
bonk=sex ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/51 "2003-10-26T13:22:05Z")
Hm. I was under the impression that “ponce” was a verb, and meant “to behave in a homosexual manner”… as in “poncing about like a pooftah…” It’s been my experience that most Americans can’t tell the difference between an Irish accent, a Scottish accent, a British accent, and an Australian accent… at least, not until you get an Irishman, a Scot, an Aussie, and John Cleese all in the same room together. One of the funniest things I’ve ever heard was an Englishman trying to imitate the Texas drawl he’d been exposed to for months while over here. And “bugger” IS a very useful, expressive term. Best of all, not many Americans realize it’s a rude one… ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/52 "2003-10-26T13:38:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wang-Ka \* > It’s been my experience that most Americans can’t tell the difference between … a Scottish accent, a British accent… Nor can anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/53 "2003-10-26T13:39:10Z")
I read recently that, while preparing an Australian/Chinese dictionary (?) it was found that **Dinkum** comes from the Chinese for “real gold”, and was introduced into Australia by Chinese gold miners during the gold-rush there. Which seems highly plausible. As to “taking the Mickey”, I’d always heard that it was our old friend rhyming slang again, being short for “Mickey Bliss”. [Here’s a cite to back that up.](http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-tak1.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/54 "2003-10-26T14:10:44Z")
> [@](#): > > And “bugger” IS a very useful, expressive term. Best of all, not many Americans realize it’s a rude one… Which is precisely why I use it. 😉 FWIW, _this_ American can tell the difference between Irish, Scottish, Australian and English accents. Usually. The FBO where I rent (or rented, since I’m not current at the moment) helicopters was run by two Irishmen, but they _sound_ English. Speaking of accents, I asked the owner of the FBO if his shirt came in khaki. I pronounced it (of course) in the American way – “KACK-kee”. He was confused. I said, “You know, tan. Or muddy brown.” “Oh!” he said, “KAH-kee.” To which the other Irishman said, “KAH-kee? That’s what you start your car with, innit?” ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/55 "2003-10-26T15:58:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by masonite \* > \*\*Americans, thinking they sound British, will use “bloody” quite casually and shock an upstanding Briton. Is this correct? \*\* Plenty of Americans use “bloody” just in general, not “trying to sound British” you know. It’s quite well established in its own right as an American curse word. As for the OP… where are these subterranian rock-dwelling Americans who don’t know “wank” “snog” and “shag”? Also I didn’t even know “bonk” didn’t originate here. Do the Brits use “boink” as well? The “fanny” one has always been my personal fave, btw. Just the confusion element for poor unsuspecting Americans who say it in front of Britfolk. Heh. One thing that I found amusing… I found that a lot of folks from that side of the pond seemed vaguely grossed out by the idea of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich… and then I discovered that they use the word ‘jelly’ to mean what we use the word ‘jello’ for. Now that _would_ be gross. Apparently they wouldn’t be grossed out by a peanut butter and jam/preserves/other-word-for-it sammich. And I don’t mind being called a Yank. My mom was born in Brooklyn, raised in Larchmont. My dad was raised in Greenwich, CT. We’re Yanks, despite my having grown up in Arizona. One thing I’ve never understood is rhyming slang. I guess you’d ‘have to be there’ because from this side it just seems kinda dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/56 "2003-10-26T16:16:24Z")
Perhaps, but I’m a Southerner. In these parts, calling someone a “yankee” will result in anything from a quizzical look to an invitation to a fistfight… ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/57 "2003-10-26T16:23:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by masonite \* > \*\*I’m not a Brit, so Brits please correct me, but I’m under the impression Brits regard “bloody” as a much stronger word than Americans do. Americans, thinking they sound British, will use “bloody” quite casually and shock an upstanding Briton. Is this correct? \*\* Not really. Bloody is pretty mild. ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/58 "2003-10-26T16:49:37Z")
“Rogering” I just love that word, very emotive I reckon. “Stone me, I wouldn’t mind giving her a damn good rogering” heh! ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/59 "2003-10-26T18:44:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > Also I didn’t even know “bonk” didn’t originate here. Do the Brits use “boink” as well? I’ve never heard it being used by anyone here. Even “bonk” sounds peculiar to me – very 80s/tabloid. > [@](#): > > One thing that I found amusing… I found that a lot of folks from that side of the pond seemed vaguely grossed out by the idea of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich… and then I discovered that they use the word ‘jelly’ to mean what we use the word ‘jello’ for. Now that _would_ be gross. Apparently they wouldn’t be grossed out by a peanut butter and jam/preserves/other-word-for-it sammich. I’m sure plenty of people realise what the proper ingredients are, but it still seems like an alien combination. I made my own once and won’t be doing it again. Having said that, it’s often been mentioned on the SDMB that our peanut butter doesn’t taste the same as yours, so maybe that’s the problem? > [@](#): > > One thing I’ve never understood is rhyming slang. I guess you’d ‘have to be there’ because from this side it just seems kinda dumb. It’s also worth bearing in mind that it’s only very sparingly used, and not at all in most parts of the country. There was a thread all about the subject a while back and an American (Canadian?) doper feared that she wouldn’t be able to understand anything people said when she visited here. **WotNot** : thanks for that link. Very plausable. **spogga** : you’re a very sad man. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523/60 "2003-10-26T18:55:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spogga \* > \*\*“Rogering” > I just love that word, very emotive I reckon. > “Stone me, I wouldn’t mind giving her a damn good rogering” heh! \*\* I think most Americans would know that one, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-english-words-the-yanks-dont-get/209523.md?page=4)