headermask image

Business Tools Blog

As we get Global, we need a vocab refresher

I have been reading a lot more global blogs, websites (like BradyRafuse, Times Online, Guardian).  Gaining perspective outside the States has been a great learning experience … not just because the views often contain a unique insight, but also because the vernacular is so different.   (I’ll refrain from telling you about a few serious vocab faux pas that I made when traveling overseas).

The following are some words that I’ve had to look up:

  • chunter - to mutter, to grumble, to talk continuously
  • fortnight - 14 days
  • gaffer - old man
  • git - scumbag, idiot, annoying person
  • grotty - disgusting, dirty, poor quality
  • jumper - a sweater
  • sod off - go away; get lost
  • squidgy - soft and soggy
  • stone - 14 lbs
As Brady told me a few weeks ago, “We were here first.”  True.  And as we go global, I’ll bet our slang will also become more universal.

If you liked my post, feel free to subscribe to my rss feeds

Money Making Options

Post meta

This entry was written by Sandi Mays and posted on January 29, 2009 at 12:35 am and filed under Financial Management. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment(Latest is displayed first) or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

Share with others

Post As we get Global, we need a vocab refresher to digg. Post As we get Global, we need a vocab refresher to Reddit add to stumbleupon Google Bookmark myweb bookmark on del.cio.us newsvine Tailrank magnolia Furl co.mments shadows simpy blinklist

2 Comments so far (Add 1 more)

  1. I haven’t heard about Empathy Day … I wonder if there will be cake?

    1. Sandi on January 29th, 2009 at 9:25 am

  2. Right back at ya!

    Two things:

    1, Don’t forget pronounciation. We love Americans coming to the UK and spending time in Fulham by the River Thames, which we pronounce Fulum by the Tems. I have been traumatised on how people would laugh when I will mispronounce a key Zayo market, Spokane, assuming it’s probably pronounced Spoken or something.

    2, And then there is just our differences. Twitter had an empathy day yesterday. We Brits struggle with such public displays or emotions. Privately too! Jemima Kiss, who writes for The Gurdian, and twitters hysterically @jemimakiss captured the UK cynicism thus:

    “EmpathyDay is making me puke. I guess I’m just not an American. Love you guys”

    :-)

    2. Brady on January 29th, 2009 at 3:08 am

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*
*