What British People say - and What They Mean





Stolen from another website.


 Not entirely True  -  and Not entirely Untrue.  Some of these are class based. Blue collar Brits are likely to be more blunt'

What Brits Say -v- What they Actually Mean.

They often don't say what they are thinking because they don't want to appear rude. Instead, they say something which sounds a bit more positive. But don't mean it!

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1. "I might join you later"

Translation: I'm not leaving my house unless it's on

fire.

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2. "Excuse me, sorry, is anyone sitting here?"

Translation: You have three seconds to move your

bag otherwise I will sit on it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. "Not to worry"

Translation: I will never forget this.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Saying sorry as a way of introducing yourself.

--------------------------------------------------------

5. "Bit wet out there"

Translation: You're going to need a snorkel because

it's absolutely pissing it down.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

6. Ending an email with "Thanks" as a warning that

you are perilously close to losing your temper.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. "Right then, I suppose I really should start thinking

about possibly making a move.

Translation - Bye.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. "It's fine"

Translation: It really could not possibly get any

worse, but no doubt it will do.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

9. "Perfect"

Translation: Well that's ruined that then!

----------------------------------------------------

10. "A bit of a pickle"

Translation: A catastrophically bad situation with

potentially fatal consequences.

----------------------------------------------------

11. "Not too bad actually"

Translation: I'm probably happiest I've ever been.

------------------------------------------------------------

12. "Honestly, it doesn't matter"

Translation: Nothing has ever mattered more than

this.

-------------------------------------------------------------

13. "You've caught the sun"

Translation: You look like you've been swimming in

in a volcano.

-----------------------------------------------------

14. "That's certainly one way of looking at it".

Translation: That's certainly the wrong way of

looking at it.

-------------------------------------------------------------

15. "If you say so"

Translation: I'm afraid that what you're saying is the

height of idiocy.

--------------------------------------------------------------

16. "With all due respect"

Translation: You have absolutely no idea what you're

talking about".

-------------------------------------------------------

17. Saying "You're welcome" as quietly as possible to people that don't say "thank you" but using it as a form of punishment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

18. Meaning of "I beg your pardon"

1. I didn't hear you.

2. I apologise.

3. What you're saying is making me absolutely livid.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

19. "It could be worse."

Translation: It couldn't possibly be any worse.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

20. "Each to their own"

Translation: You're so wrong but never mind.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

21. "Pop around anytime"


Translation: Please stay away from my house.

-----------------------------------------------------

22. "I'm just popping out for lunch, does anyone want

anything"?

Translation: Don't ask.

----------------------------------------------------------

23. "No no, honestly, my fault".

Translation: It was obviously your fault and we both

know it.

-----------------------------------------------------------

24. "Yeah, that's very interesting"

Translation: You are boring me to death, you moron.

----------------------------------------------------------

25. "Just whenever you get a minute"

Translation: "Now!"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

26. "No harm done"

Translation: You have caused complete and utter

chaos!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

27. "I'm sure it will be fine"

Translation: I fully expect the situation to deteriorate

rapidly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

28. "Sorry, I think you might have dropped something"

Translation: You have definitely dropped that

specific item.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

29. "You must come to dinner"

Translation: This is not an invitation, I'm just being

polite.

--------------------------------------------------------

30. Wife saying "I'm absolutely fine".

Translation: Back up, leave the room quietly and

emigrate.

 

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