h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Every language has its idioms, phrases which dont make sense when translated, but are commonly used in that vernacular.
Between American, British, and Australian English, there are quite enough idioms to go around. In fact, each different location has its own idioms.
Example: When Americans relax they "chill out" or "shoot the breeze" which I rather suspect Brits dont do.

I'd like to start a collection of idioms from Australia, Britain, America, and South Africa. (Or anywhere that talks english. Come to think of it, any language at all is fine too.)

Thanks for posting.

As the first reply, i feel safe in saying that the early bird catches the whatnot..

I think my favourite has to be:

"Up a certain creek without a certain paddle."

Ofcourse, that could just be a random stab in the dark... Maybe I should call it a day... Ofcourse, now i've started i feel like i've burnt all my bridges...

Ah well, dont give up the day job i suppose...

We chill out in Britain too, ostensibly

Euphemisms for a good thing - Safe, Sweet, Pukka
Something funny - Rare
Going out on the town - Largin' it

I thought it was pucker not pukka.
Pukka is a type of pie they sell in chippies isn't it. Or am I way behind the times?

No, it's 'pukka' and like a number of English idioms it comes from India. There's also 'tickety boo' (tikka taboo), wallah and barmy (balmy) among others.

F

Geezer = A very fine fellow
Diamond Geezer = An Extremely Fine fellow
Knock it on the head = Please stop it
Leave it out = Stop doing that
You blew the blag you slag = East End London vernacular of villains who, when finding out that one of their colleagues actions has prevented them from commiting their crime (The "Blag") is having an argument with the other villain concerned. This culminates in him disrespecting the chastened villian by calling him a name (You Slag)
Hookey Gear = Stolen items being offered for resale at a pub (bar)

Their marriage is on the rocks.

You drive me up the wall.

You're driving me nuts!
Turn it in.
You're letting the side down.

F

Fair suck of the sav, mate.

I remember the Americans had trouble figuring out what the thread called

"What drives you spare?"

was all about.

These are common English ones from the south-east

Feathering the tyrannosaurus = selling seafood from a stall

Cloudy face mangle = a small child trying unsuccessfully to play football

Hackney Bockwurst = very good

Subaru Impreza = two ice creams with a flake please

Thank you = no thank you

No thank you = marijuana

Skating on the lego tunnel = listening to Paul McCartney

thank you to everyone who translated, request for everyone who didnt to please do so.

Out on the lam- on the run

I'm on the horn.

On the pop/razz/town/etc - out for a drink (or two).
On the wagon - have given up drinking.
On the blower - using the telephone (old fashioned usage)

Off your face - drunk/stoned
Off your head - insane
Off your trolley - (temporarily) insane

Over the hill - old and becoming incapable
Over the top - excessive
Over my head - I didn't understand it

Under the weather - (slightly) unwell
Under a cloud - with bad feeling (as in 'she left under a cloud')
Under starters orders - waiting for a signal to start

F

I don't think there is a translation for 'fair suck of the sav'

Context is everything, and in this case someone might say that phrase when presented with an idea or news that is particularly interesting or incredible. It's an Australasian saying (sounds more Australian than Kiwi to me, but it gets used in both countries).

To drive someone spare means :

to annoy someone. A lot.

I'm coming down with something.

stool pigeon- someone who blabs on his cahorts.

A Scottish (Glaswegian) offering-

Am no Hairy Mary, am yer maw!

Don't ask..

I think I may understand. ON the street corners of NY, the biggest insult you can return is, "Yo' momma!"