# The Office (U.K.): Help translate Briticisms for an American **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 7, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846 "2005-05-07T19:41:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/1 "2005-05-07T19:41:00Z")
I’m watching the original (British) “Office” on DVD. I’m hoping someone can help me with some references that I don’t get. I notice that Ricky Gervaise has posted some trivia on the official Web page, but there are a lot of things left out. This is my first question – On his 30th birthday, Tim’s mother gives him a baseball cap bearing a logo that uses the phrase “Hat FM.” Is that a reference to a real radio station? More later … ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/2 "2005-05-07T19:46:32Z")
I don’t know about the Hat thing, but it’s traditional to put staplers in jelly. ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/3 "2005-05-07T20:00:45Z")
I never actually went shopping for one (I swear), but I read that “Hat FM” is a real product. Pretty much as the name describes, it’s a hat with an antenna, radio receiver and headphone built-in. And I do believe that one day there will be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/4 "2005-05-07T20:55:07Z")
The real reference their is to baaad ‘ideas’. Epitomised by _Innovations_. The kind of things that you think “why didn’t I think of that?”, followed by “because it’s shit”, followed by “what morons buy this stuff?” The answer, according to The Office, is Tim’s Mum. ---
**Author:** ![ZeroGyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47774/32.png) [@ZeroGyro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroGyro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/5 "2005-05-07T21:10:41Z")
Here is a helpful guide from the BBC website: [Gervais Explains](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/clips/gervaisexplains/index.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![ZeroGyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47774/32.png) [@ZeroGyro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroGyro)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/6 "2005-05-07T21:12:02Z")
Sorry, I was too stupid to realize you mentioned the site in your OP. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/7 "2005-05-07T21:20:57Z")
Further ruminations & deconstructions (The Office seems to encourage these)… What should a mother be buying a ‘successful’ thirty-ish son? A dinner set to match the dining room of his new house? A new bed, for him and his fiance? Maybe clothes for the baby? But no…Tim’s Mum is stuck without the slightest idea of what to buy, because there’s nothing about him that gives her any ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/8 "2005-05-08T13:08:47Z")
The funny thing is, Tim himself gave some hints (to the audience) about his sophisticated taste – the works of Alain Delon entered into it, I think. Another question – At one point (during lunchtime?) Dawn’s fiance (Rick?) is describing what their life would be like after marriage and Dawn makes a joke under her breath (“dare to dream” or something), which Tim chuckles at. Rick (if that’s his name) calls Tim out on making fun of him ( **“taking the mick”?** Can someone explain _that_ phrase to me?), but the situation is quickly diffused. One of the things Tim says to help calm the situation is **“Well, we’ve all had coffee now.”** What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why would having coffee be a reason to get over a perceived insult? ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/9 "2005-05-08T13:23:02Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Another question – At one point (during lunchtime?) Dawn’s fiance (Rick?) is describing what their life would be like after marriage and Dawn makes a joke under her breath (“dare to dream” or something), which Tim chuckles at. Rick (if that’s his name) calls Tim out on making fun of him ( **“taking the mick”?** Can someone explain _that_ phrase to me?), but the situation is quickly diffused. One of the things Tim says to help calm the situation is **“Well, we’ve all had coffee now.”** What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why would having coffee be a reason to get over a perceived insult? Taking the Mick = Making fun of. Well, we’ve all had coffee now =We’re all even now. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/10 "2005-05-08T18:27:00Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > One of the things Tim says to help calm the situation is **“Well, we’ve all had coffee now.”** What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why would having coffee be a reason to get over a perceived insult? Tim’s suggesting that they’re all over-excited due to caffiene indulgence - slightly patronising them, suggesting they’re like kids who’ve gone hyperactive on sugary drinks. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/11 "2005-05-08T18:30:27Z")
[This](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/3088444.stm) caused something of a stir - a state school, with private backing (a very Blairite creation) teachin creationism alongside evolution. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/12 "2005-05-08T19:12:44Z")
**GorillaMan** I’m willing to bet you took a wrong turn. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/13 "2005-05-08T20:58:41Z")
:doh: yup - tabbed browsing has its benefits, but not that. (I was wondering where that post had gone…) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/14 "2005-05-09T14:35:21Z")
> [@AngelicGemma](#): > > Taking the Mick = Making fun of. I understand the meaning, but I want an explanation. How is it that “taking the mick” can convey the message “making fun of”? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/15 "2005-05-09T14:44:55Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > I understand the meaning, but I want an explanation. How is it that “taking the mick” can convey the message “making fun of”? It’s just an expression. I’ve heard the similar expression “taking the piss” lots of times from British and Irish writers, but never the “mick” variation until The Office. ---
**Author:** ![wayward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wayward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayward)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/16 "2005-05-09T15:11:05Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > It’s just an expression. I’ve heard the similar expression “taking the piss” lots of times from British and Irish writers, but never the “mick” variation until The Office. The way I’ve heard it, people who found “taking the piss” too vulgar would substitute “taking the micturations”, which was then shortened to mick, mickey and so on. I can’t say I’m totally convinced but it’s a theory… ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/17 "2005-05-09T15:14:39Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > It’s just an expression. I’ve heard the similar expression “taking the piss” lots of times from British and Irish writers, but never the “mick” variation until The Office. Micturition is the medical term for the (frequent) passing of water- urinating- hence Taking the Mick, Taking the Micky, Taking the Michael etc- Taking the piss. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/18 "2005-05-09T15:15:31Z")
It is a variant of “taking the piss”. [This site](http://www.yaelf.com/questions.shtml) says: Partridge’s “Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English” dates this expression to c. 1950, and gives its origin as rhyming slang (“Mickey Bliss”). Mickey Bliss, thought to be BBC radio personality, has never been conclusively identified. A competing theory is that “taking the mick” was derived from the verb, “micturate” (to urinate). ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/19 "2005-05-09T15:15:40Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > Micturition is the medical term for the (frequent) passing of water- urinating- hence Taking the Mick, Taking the Micky, Taking the Michael etc- Taking the piss. So, I went way to get a full cite from a dictionary and ended up with a simulpost :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846/20 "2005-05-09T18:18:00Z")
On a tangent, I’ll suggest that you check out the two Ricky Gervais stand-up shows when you finish with _The Office_. They are called _Animals_ (2003) and _Politics_ (2004), both out on DVD. The material isn’t mind-blowing, but Gervais has a personality and presence on stage which I found great fun to watch. I also enjoyed the extra material on the _Politics_ disc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-u-k-help-translate-briticisms-for-an-american/302846.md?page=2)