You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

As requested I have set up a thread for us to shed some light on Notes from a Small Island.

Some of the book going completely over your head? Ask the Brits in the group for an explanation!

You might need to explain "Blighty"!

It means Britain or England and was popularised by soldiers serving abroad in the First and Second World Wars. However, it probably comes from the days of British rule in India, derived from a word meaning "foreign" and which is pronounced like "blighty" in several Indian languages.

C F S R wrote: "You might need to explain "Blighty"!

It means Britain or England and was popularised by soldiers serving abroad in the First and Second World Wars. However, it probably comes from the days of Br..."

Thanks CFSR - that was my first question!

Essentially, the Prologue sums up my position quite well - especially the spot in Dover where he lists all the words/phrases/customs he didn't know - if you could define everything he lists in those paragraphs that would be a nice start!

Here are a few specific ones that are "foreign" to me and my best guess as to what they mean as I tried to define them in context (I'm too lazy to look them all up on Google):
-Lorry = a truck?
-Transport caff = rest stop?
-Counterpane = bedspread/comforter?
-Crisps = chips?
-Biscuits = cookies?
-Layby = ??
-Grit box = ??
-Hedgerow = shrubs?
-Bank holiday = national holiday?
-Car park = parking lot/parking garage?
-Carriageway = road/highway?
-Marks & Spencer = department store - like Macy's?
-Pillar boxes = phone booth?
-Flyovers = ??
-Jacket potato = hashbrown - to go?

And that's just through the first 4 chapters.

-Lorry = bigger than a pickup truck, usually a big commercial road transporter.
-Transport caff = "caff" is slang for "café", and it's a roadside diner, usually cheap and cheerful, well, cheap, and with an emphasis on hearty food, fried breakfast etc.
-Counterpane = top bed cover - for decoration or keeping dust etc out of the bed, not for warmth. Very old fashioned; I wouldn't know where to buy one.
-Crisps = fried slices of potato sold in a bag (US chips), whereas what we call chips, you call French fries.
-Biscuits = cookies and crackers etc.
-Layby = on motorways (interstates) and other major roads, there are occasional bits at the side where you can pull over, e.g if you break down.
-Grit box = roadside box for salt and grit for spreading if there's snow or lots of ice.
-Hedgerow = a hedge marking a boundary, usually of a field, so not beautifully tended, but often a haven for wildlife.
-Bank holiday = public holiday.
-Car park = parking lot - could be multi-storey, or just an area of land marked out with parking bays.
-Carriageway = one side/direction of a major road, where there is a gap or crash barrier between the two.
-Marks & Spencer = not quite a department store, but branches in many towns, and not quite as upmarket/aspirational as it used to be.
-Pillar boxes = streetside box where you put mail for sorting and delivery.
-Flyovers = elevated roadway so that some traffic can fly over other bits at junctions, reducing congestion (in theory).
-Jacket potato = a whole potato, roast in an oven, split open and given topping such as beans, cheese, tuna etc.

There's an excellent blog comparing British and American English: http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blo...
You can search for a word in the top LEFT corner.

It includes this illustrated entry about the difference between lorries and trucks: http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blo...

This is really interesting! I thought everyone ate jacket potatoes :)

I don't eat jacket potatoes! :-)

... but for those that might like to, but are still puzzled, here's a pic of jacket potato: http://www.iconocast.com/00002/B1/New...
and one of a pillar box (aka letter box): http://www.unicornkiosks.com/images/p...
and one of a hedgerow: http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/hom...

Whilst I think Brits are generally more au fait with Americanisms than vice versa (we get more of your media than you get of ours), the first time I went to the US, I was surprised how baffling I found many menus: subs (before Subway opened over here), kaisers, elephant ears are the only ones that come to mind at present.

Anyway, if I go on to read Notes from the Big Country, maybe I'll post my queries about Americanisms on here. :-)

YUMMY. The jacket potatoes are what we call stuffed baked potatoes here. My husband and I love to go to a Renaissance Festival every year and I love getting the stuffed baked potatoes! It's probably the only time I eat them, though. They are killer carbs!

But the potato wasn't introduced to Europe till the very end of the Renaissance!

Who knows? I supposed we'd have to ask the people who run the festival. All I know is that they are GOOD!

BTW, there are several references to Beeching in the book, which may be puzzling.

The Beeching Report of 1964 looked at the railways, cost-effectiveness etc and resulted in many less-used routes and dead ends (branch lines) being closed.

Jaime wrote: "YUMMY. The jacket potatoes are what we call stuffed baked potatoes here. My husband and I love to go to a Renaissance Festival every year and I love getting the stuffed baked potatoes! It's prob..."

Oh come, come! Carbs won't kill you! Unmmoderated consumption of saturated fats, and sugars will though! Oh and driving the wrong way up a dual carriageway! LOL!

Molly wrote: "Essentially, the Prologue sums up my position quite well - especially the spot in Dover where he lists all the words/phrases/customs he didn't know - if you could define everything he lists in thos..."

No-one here really talks about "counterpanes" any more. Even people who still use them call them bedspreads.

I know I'm not very (or at all) active here, I do lurk from time to time, but I decided I would download Bill Bryson's audiobook and I'm listening to it.
I find it a bit amusing, and I'm also aware that some of the funny bits escape me, because I don't know that much about Britain. I'm grateful that you started this thread.
I wanted to ask: Is the transport issue really that bad over there or Bryson exaggerating?

I'm half way through and I haven't noticed many comments about transport (far more about architecture), but I think what he's said so far is broadly true, which is perhaps why it didn't leap out at me.

Public transport is pretty limited outside big cities and almost non existent in rural areas. In London, it's more comprehensive, but often overcrowded and needs investment and updating.

Roads are more variable. The main problem is that whilst we have beautiful countryside, much of the nation is pretty crowded. In towns and villages we don't have the space for 6-lane interstates, and in the rural areas where we do have the space, the authorities would never allow it to be spoiled by a development of such size. Consequently, traffic jams can be a problem, or else just pootling along slowly on a narrow rural road, stuck behind a tractor, with miles before you can find a place to overtake!

The anecdote near the beginning about people comparing routes from A to B at inordinate length is very true - though the increasing use of sat nav may eventually reduce it.

Whilst the US road system is generally better than ours, I don't recall an abundance of public transport options in small towns unless they are sited on a major route between cities. Is that broadly true?

Our traffic issues are in the major cities where the congestion lies. I happen to live in New England outside of Boston where we have a terrific subway/commuter rail that extends far reaching into the suburbs. The city itself is great for walking about. Driving there is improved due to the completion of the "Big Dig" project to submerge the highways with expanded lanes underground and a new bridge across the river.

I haven't had to ride a bus in a long time but the service goes across the country.

I'm now about 3/4 of the way through, and there's far more moaning about the transport than at the outset.

It's all true, but what I don't understand is his outraged surprise - he'd lived in and travelled around the country for 20 years!

And at a practical level, he often changes his mind about where he's going once he's on the station platform or even on the train itself (i.e. after he should have bought a ticket), yet he never mentions encountering any problems with ticket collectors etc.

How are you getting on with country-specific references, Molly? Anything else you want clarifying?

The first time I went to the States I had an English muffin for breakfast. There aren't any muffins anything like that kind of bread in the UK.

I know that a turnpike is a road with a toll booth but I don't know why its called a turnpike.

Epee wrote: "I know that a turnpike is a road with a toll booth but I don't know why its called a turnpike..."

I think that some old-fahioned European toll booths had a gate across (so people couldn't cross without paying) and it was somewhat like a defensive turnpike, which had spikes. But I'm happy to be corrected!

Epee wrote: "The first time I went to the States I had an English muffin for breakfast. There aren't any muffins anything like that kind of bread in the UK.

I know that a turnpike is a road with a toll booth..."

That's funny! No english muffins in England. They probably don't have french fries in France either.

Molly wrote: "That's funny! No english muffins in England. They probably don't have french fries in France either..."

There are muffins in England, they just might not be what you think of as English muffins; I think they're what we call crumpets. Both are served toasted, with spread (butter and jam/jelly etc). The chief difference is that our muffins are more like bread than cake and have a close texture and are the same top and bottom; you cut them in half to cook them.
Muffin: http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/englis...
Crumpets have big holes on the top, but a smooth bottom.
Crumpet: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thum...
Your sort of muffins are more like cup cakes without the icing.

As for French fries, I think the French call them frites, though both US and UK terminology is also used, especially in tourist areas.

I would say that transport (outside of London) is better than when Bryson wrote the book, but it is something of a "postcode lottery"......aha! Another "British" phrase for you to puzzle over!
Perhaps you might also help me with something? What on earth is "gatorade"? ;)

Melanie wrote: "I would say that transport (outside of London) is better than when Bryson wrote the book, but it is something of a "postcode lottery"......aha! Another "British" phrase for you to puzzle over!
Per..."



gatorade is an electrolyte drink that comes in various flavors like grape, orange and ocean punch, most people drink it after or during high intensity work outs. It is a non carbonated sports drink.
I drink it when I have a really bad sunburn or Vomitting/Diarrhea

Gatorade was invented by researchers at the University of Florida. They wanted to create something that would provide their athletes - specifically their struggling football team, The Gators, (as in alligators which are quite prevalent in Florida) better nourishment than plain water due to the extreme heat and humidity. It was named Gatorade and was very effective. Now it is probably the most popular sports drink in the U.S. All the greatest American athletes in all sports at all levels are used to market it. It comes in all kinds of flavors and colors. I personally don't drink it but millions do.

Molly wrote: "Gatorade was invented by researchers at the University of Florida. They wanted to create something that would provide their athletes - specifically their struggling football team, The Gators, (as ..."

Thankyou! I was also going to ask about Reece's pieces but I just saw an episode of Family Guy that cleared that up nicely for me! ;)

Melanie wrote: "Molly wrote: "Gatorade was invented by researchers at the University of Florida. They wanted to create something that would provide their athletes - specifically their struggling football team, Th..."

*fainting* you don't have REESE'S PIECES?!!!! I would never be able to live there. Now I know that if traveling there I should pack my own. They are shaped like M&M's but instead of just chocolate they are morsals of peanut butter & choc. deliciousness. You do have M&M's right? Do you at least have Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? Or is peanut butter not a food group over there like it is here?

We do have Reeses's Pieces in the England (a colleague was passing some round yesterday) and the Cups, but they're nowhere near as common as chocolate bars etc made by Cadbury, Mars and Nestlé etc.

We have peanut butter too, but not with jelly stripes (my son's favourite), and even the ordinary kind is not eaten as widely as in the US.

We don't have Hershey drops or bars either (well, not in ordinary shops), but M&Ms are easy to find.

But I'm OK either way, as I don't like chocolate!

Ah - well I feel better now!

My niece doesn't like chocolate either. Which means there is more for me :0)

Cadbury only seems to be popular at Easter here with the creme eggs. Nestle is as common as Hershey. Snickers is a biggie.

Molly wrote: "Ah - well I feel better now!

My niece doesn't like chocolate either. Which means there is more for me :0)

Cadbury only seems to be popular at Easter here with the creme eggs. Nestle is as c..."
Mmmm love Snickers! (Or Marathon, as I still find myself calling it from time to time!) Also, I sometimes like crunchy peanut butter on toast, but I don't think I'd like it so much with chocolate or jelly (I'm assuming that's jam?)!!
I must say I've never seen Reece's Pieces (obviously, as I spelt it incorrectly!) over here, but I have seen Oreo's!! (Hurrah!) And for our Australian friends, Tim-Tams!!! Yum!

Melanie wrote: "Molly wrote: "Ah - well I feel better now!

My niece doesn't like chocolate either. Which means there is more for me :0)

Cadbury only seems to be popular at Easter here with the creme eggs. Nest..."
Ooops! I meant REESE'S pieces!!!! Spelt it wrong AGAIN! Apologies!

Melanie - Jelly is like Jam except without the chunks of fruit in it.

You can buy Gatorade in the UK :) I don't like it though!

Jenny wrote: "You can buy Gatorade in the UK :) I don't like it though!"

Can you???? Blimey, I AM behind the times!

Melanie wrote: "Jenny wrote: "You can buy Gatorade in the UK :) I don't like it though!"

Can you???? Blimey, I AM behind the times!"

Now see, Bryson led me to believe yours was a SMALL island! But not so since Gatorade takes longer to reach all portions ;0)

I've finished I'm a Stranger Here Myself Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away (it was in the same volume) and I don't need to ask for any clarification about Americanisms! Not because I'm an expert, but because it turns out it was written for a British audience. It's just a collection of random weekly columns for a British news magazine. I reviewed it here, if anyone's interested:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Molly wrote: "Here are a few specific ones that are "foreign" to me ... And that's just through the first 4 chapters."

So were the subsequent chapters free of confusing words, or did you lose the will to jot them down? LOL

Oh - I had just gone back and flipped through the first few chapters to get this thread going. Since I hadn't written the words down as I went I didn't have a list to refer back to. You all were very helpful to me though! And the book I just finished reading was about WWI and kept referencing soldiers going over to Blighty so I felt so smart knowing what they meant!

I bet there aren't any Americans who know what Irn-Bru or Camp Coffee are.

Epee wrote: "I bet there aren't any Americans who know what Irn-Bru or Camp Coffee are. "

I do not. Do tell!

Irn-Bru is a remarkable carbonated drink with a taste which cannot be described with words alone. It is the worlds greatest hangover cure :)

Camp Coffee is a sort of chicory based concentrated coffee which is used by all British woman of a certain age to make cakes, though I believe it's actually French.

Emma wrote: "Irn-Bru is a remarkable carbonated drink with a taste which cannot be described with words alone. It is the worlds greatest hangover cure :)

Camp Coffee is a sort of chicory based concentrated cof..."

Irn-Bru is not just remarkable it is amazing, fabulous, wonderful and I would never have survived uni without it. The stuff will get you out of the worst hangover in the world in seconds and it still helps me to survive my all night bat surveys with its sugary lovely-ness :-)

(just had to add that in hehe)

Never had that Camp Coffee though but been tempted frequently...trouble is I'm a tea person so don't think it''l be my cup of tea (boom boom lol)

I couldn't agree more Sam. The Americans are very welcome to their gatorade and their mountain dew and cola!

All night bat surveys? shudder!

Wow. How come you guys are hogging all the Irn-Bru? Send some over!

I am sceptical about the rapid spread of food intolerances, hyperactivity etc, but, to my incredulity, Irn Bru did have a very definate effect on our son when he was young - he'd rapidly go hyper. Its slogan is that it's "made from girders". Obviously not true, though I'm not sure how they slip such a claim past trading standards.

PS Irn Bru is Scottish, not British (and certainly not English, though it's easy to get in England)! I just wanted to placate any Scots in this group.

C F S R wrote: "I am sceptical about the rapid spread of food intolerances, hyperactivity etc, but, to my incredulity, Irn Bru did have a very definate effect on our son when he was young - he'd rapidly go hyper. ..."

Not the first time I've heard that to be honest. My mother would never have fizzy drinks in the house as she insisted it sent us mental - this from a woman who gave us cups of sugary tea in our bottles!!!

And I had no idea it was Scottish...

C F S R wrote: "PS Irn Bru is Scottish, not British (and certainly not English, though it's easy to get in England)! I just wanted to placate any Scots in this group."

But Scotland is British. Not English, of course, but most definitely British!