All Questions
Tagged with british-english word-usage
162
questions
1
vote
1
answer
115
views
Is "bet" only used by vulgar people? [closed]
My cousin says "bet" is only used by vulgar people, and that "wager" is used by gentlemen. I disagree. We're talking about risking money on an outcome.
I wonder if the fine people ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
59
views
How common is “you lot” for a group of exactly two persons and under what circumstances can it be used as such if any?
Something about “you lot” tells me that it can't really be used with a group of two persons and requires a somewhat bigger group being addressed as a unit, to what extent is that correct and if not ...
- 139
4
votes
2
answers
255
views
UK vs USA grammar, past tense usage of "were stood" and "found…stood" that jars my American mind
One of my favorite authors uses past tenses in the following manner:
Other than Camden and Luke’s cousin Alex, who were stood outside the main doors talking, no one was in sight.
An American would ...
- 41
-2
votes
2
answers
164
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Is "bugly" used in British English?
Is "bugly" (from 'butt ugly') used in British English? And if it is, is it more common in some regional dialects than others?
- 107
1
vote
5
answers
185
views
How to be 'ornery' in BE?
I'm looking for the best BE substitute for the AmE word "ornery" in the phrase "an ornery bunch".
Complicating the task for this second-language speaker of English is that ...
- 107
28
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Understanding of -pants vs. "pants" in UK speakers
My wife, a native Spanish speaker, today asked me about why a youtuber would call themselves 'craftypants'.
I explained that -pants was added to something as synecdoche, so for example an intelligent ...
- 1,607
0
votes
1
answer
47
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Can ‘manage’ mean ‘achieve with difficulty’? [closed]
I often find myself using sentence constructions like:
Although the train was full, she managed to squeeze on.
I passed the chemistry exam, but never managed history.
Everybody complained about the ...
- 534
5
votes
1
answer
2k
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How did barista enter the English language?
The Italian term barista (bartender) entered the English language in 1992 and its usage has considerably increased since then according to Google Books:
"bartender in a coffee shop," as a ...
- 4,766
0
votes
1
answer
184
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"Cask" as for "coffin"
I'm wondering if the word "cask" in English can be used to mean "coffin".
I know it means barrel but can it be used to mean the thing someone is buried in or you see at a funeral?
- 103
1
vote
2
answers
435
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What does ‘capture by employees’ mean in 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕 in the context of being a ‘vice’ of speculative activity in investment banking?
What is ‘capture by employees’?
In this past week’s January 26th issue of The Economist, the phrase capture by employees appears in a leading article* titled “The Humbling of Goldman Sachs” in this ...
- 355
4
votes
1
answer
99
views
Specific usage of "more"
I was reading E.M. Forster's A Room With A View and came across this dialogue:
“Up to now I have never kissed you.” She was as scarlet as if he had put the thing most indelicately. “No—more you have,”...
- 169
-1
votes
1
answer
2k
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What is the meaning of "unpopular opinion"? [closed]
Please make me understand in easy words that what is the exact meaning of "unpopular opinion". Provide sone example please.
- 25
3
votes
1
answer
242
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Usage of "mobile" and "phone" - which one is more common in the UK?
Similar questions have been asked in the past, but I am curious as to whether this usage has changed as of recent years. Is it more common to describe one's mobile phone as a "mobile" or as ...
- 621
2
votes
1
answer
344
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Question about Dog and Dog's female
I am a non-native speaker trying to learn English. I have a question about an animal.
Why is "dog" considered a good word and while its female equivalent, "bitch", is considered a ...
- 383
0
votes
0
answers
83
views
Use of the word "local" to mean "domestic" or "national" in certain forms of English
In Maltese English, it is very common to use the word “local” to mean "domestic" or "national" / "Maltese".
To give some context – Malta is a tiny independent island-...
- 621