Comments on: Where (some of) the magic happens

By: john

john — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:32:32 +0000

pants is a funny word. v.t short rapid breathing. noun, trousers, shorts, knickers (english vs american meaning), pantaloons. If you aren’t confused yet, remember English is a diverse Language which hasn’t procreated yet.

By: Jeremy C

Jeremy C — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:08:54 +0000

Haha.. The pants issue sounds familiar. A friend of mine emigrated from South Africa to the UK. While shopping for new clothes at Marks and Spencers (UK department store) he remarked rather loudly to his wife (who was standing a few meters away) that he thought she would look good in a nice pair of leather pants. He only realised what he had said when a few nearby shoppers stopped and looked at him.

By: Daniel Fischer

Daniel Fischer — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:43:54 +0000

The “IYA magic” is indeed happening … everyone on this planet! Just the past week has been amazing, and today more major steps were taken: May your two years of German guide you through this summary where at least most of the links go to sites in English.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:13:38 +0000

and remember American and British dress sizes are different – but I expect you have discovered that by now! See you on Sunday

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:28:45 +0000

Hi Pam,

We also call them ‘business suits’ as well up in the North of England.

Terminal 5 always sucks the life out of everyone who passes through it. Its the endless walking followed by a half hour bus trip into the airport underworld. I’m sure they could have built it closer to the rest of the airport if they tried hard enough. For a new terminal they also could have shelled out a few more quid for more comfortable seats instead of the standard numb your butt ones lol!

As for Primark stuff watch for the shrinking and never tumble dry anything you have bought from there. It loses a 3rd of its size (especially jumpers/sweaters)!

By: Charles Kuester

Charles Kuester — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:18:54 +0000

Pamela,

Sounds like your having a great trip, hope your luggage shows up before you get home.

I think the IYA is being short changed. Even though I lived through it I had to be reminded that the International Geophysical Year was 18 months long. (June 1958 – Dec. 1958). The IYA really deserves more than 12.

I know you are too young to remember Walt Kelly’s Pogo but if you can spare a few minutes for a laugh take a look at “G. O. Fizzickle Pogo” at:

http://www.pogopossum.com/gofizzicklepogo/go01.htm

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:55:24 +0000

You *just* missed Pat Reiff of the Rice U Space Physics and Astronomy Dept. She’s in London now.

I can help with some of the British terms:

Spotted Dick is a dessert (pudding with raisins), not a social disease.

You will find nobody in England named Randy Pratt (randy = horny; pratt = butt).

Over there, a fanny isn’t a butt, it’s a lady part.

Bum = butt, too, so their homeless people (if there are any) aren’t bums.

Those are just the ones I know off the top of my head; I’m sure there are thousands. Can’t help you in German, though.

Thanks for the update! I’m *so* envious of your travels and connections with nifty people!

By: Philip Atherton

Philip Atherton — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:04:51 +0000

Hi Pam, we call them ‘Trouser Suits’… See, we’re not as confusing as we could have been if you’d wanted suspenders. Our word for what you call suspenders is ‘braces’, what we call suspenders are used by (mainly) ladies to hold stockings up…