The Royal Committee on British English convenes

[Dan]

We must have heard the same program. I was thinking the exact same thing about how "Barack" was pronounced.

Brock Obamer, now that they're tired of saying Barrick Obamer.

I'm also convinced there's a Royal Committee of British English, that makes up British equivalents to words and phrases that may seem too American to their ears.

"Next on the agenda, ball-peen hammer."
"I agree, Ian, that's too American. May I make a recommendation for vicar's strike?"
"Excellent choice, Simon. Anyone else?"
"I was thinking more along the lines of quartermaster's blow?"
"Well, Nigel, that sounds classically British, and it also has a suggestiveness that will make immature Americans giggle. Vicar's strike just seems to roll off the tongue better, though. What do the rest of you think? Hugh? Colin? Clive? Liam? Trevor? Clive? Very well, vicar's strike it is. Next up, stapler ..."

[Maister]

What do the rest of you think? Hugh? Colin? Clive? Liam? Trevor? Clive? Very well, vicker's strike it is. Next up, stapler ..."

That idear is seriously worthy of at least a three minute sketch on SNL.

Oh, and for stapler I think 'clerk's punch' (but pronounced 'clark's punch') would do nicely.

[ursus]

That idear is seriously worthy of at least a three minute sketch on SNL.

I will second that, I just spit Coke all over my computer!

[Rygor]

Brock Obamer, now that they're tired of saying Barrick Obamer.

I'm also convinced there's a Royal Committee of British English, that makes up British equivalents to words and phrases that may seem too American to their ears.

"Next on the agenda, ball-peen hammer."
"I agree, Ian, that's too American. May I make a recommendation for vicar's strike?"
"Excellent choice, Simon. Anyone else?"
"I was thinking more along the lines of quartermaster's blow?"
"Well, Nigel, that sounds classically British, and it also has a suggestiveness that will make immature Americans giggle. Vicar's strike just seems to roll off the tongue better, though. What do the rest of you think? Hugh? Colin? Clive? Liam? Trevor? Clive? Very well, vicar's strike it is. Next up, stapler ..."

Thank-you for making all my co-workers think I'm crazy for laughing alone in my office.

[Dan]

That idear is seriously worthy of at least a three minute sketch on SNL.

Oh, and for stapler I think 'clerk's punch' (but pronounced 'clark's punch') would do nicely.

Might I suggest wire tuck, Graham? Or, in our grand British tradition of using brand names for objects, let's just call all of them Swinglines.

[TerraSapient]

Thank-you for making all my co-workers think I'm crazy for laughing alone in my office.

Ditto! Though that happens when I'm on this site...

[Otis]

Might I suggest wire tuck, Graham? Or, in our grand British tradition of using brand names for objects, let's just call all of them Swinglines.

Capital idea, Ian, old boy! But my "stapler," as the bloody Americans say, is a Swingline Tot 50. Seems rather more obscure if we call them "tots." "I say, would you be so kind as to pass me your tot?" "Dash it all, my tot is out of bendies. Bad luck."

[Dan]

"Dash it all, my tot is out of bendies. Bad luck."

Nigel, if I dare say, we already call paper clips bendies.

[Maister]

Capital idea, Ian, old boy! But my "stapler," as the bloody Americans say, is a Swingline Tot 50. Seems rather more obscure if we call them "tots." "I say, would you be so kind as to pass me your tot?" "Dash it all, my tot is out of bendies. Bad luck."

Splendid idea Heath, but 'tot' (as in tot of rum) has already been taken as a British naval term. Hard cheese old boy.

Now does anyone else think the word 'computer' is drawled a bit too easily by Texans? Must be something we can do about that. Nigel, what do you think?

split from stuff you know they're pulling out of their asses

Remember the BBC's handling of the name 'Mujahadin' in Afghanistan during the 80's? I swear it changed monthly. Moo-JAH-hay-DEEN...Moo-jah-HEE-den...etc

[Rygor]

Why, Ian, brilliant idea! "Computer" just sounds so...dry. I propose we go with the term "Reckoning box", instead. What say you, Gareth, old chap?

I've also a quibble with the term "couch". It sounds so harsh, wouldn't you say? "Rumpus machine" has a much more British ring to it, wouldn't you agree?

[Tranplanner]

I'll take British English over American...whatever language it is you think you're speaking, any day.

[mendelman]

I'll take British English over American...whatever language it is you think you're speaking, any day.

C'mon Tran, play along....please. You of all people should be the best one for a thread like this.

[Dan]

I'll take British English over American...whatever language it is you think you're speaking, any day.

These Frosttodders are so amusing, aren't they, Gavin? I believe they got their inspiration for chesterfield from our word for a recliner, a cheltenham.

[Maister]

Desmond, a chap left a message on my call-minder this morning whingeing about how we lack suitably British terms for hand sanitizer and tongue depressors. Do you think you might assist us in devising some?

[Planit]

Right Nigel, I have a bit of the ole jel clean in the far corner of the work desk. As far as the mouth sticksgoes, check with the bird down the hall - you know, Penelope. Yeah?