American-British Q&A

[Scrubiii]

Alright so my question is this? What is a Chav? I've been called this on occasion and I don't think it's anything good, would someone care to explain?

A chav is a stereotype of certain people in the United Kingdom. Also known as a charver in Yorkshire and North East England "chavs" are said to be aggressive teenagers, of working class background, who repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdiness, or other forms of juvenile delinquency.

also, in Scotland we call them Neds, slight difference here and there but basically the same thing
OT: my question, is it true that most Americans don't know the difference between Britain and England or is that just a bad stereotype?

Probably not. But for a fact there was a poster here who posted, in relation to free speech in the UK, that "they don't have a constitution, they're governed by a monarchy, so I guess it's whatever the King and Queen say." Is that emblematic of all Americans' knowledge of the UK? Probably not. But it does say something about some Americans' knowledge of the UK.

well the Monarchy themself actually don't govern the country themselfs and actually have next to no actual power there really just figureheads and just there to bring the tourists.

Gee, thanks. Any other useful tidbits of information I didn't already know and which you can share would also be greatly appreciated.

The Queen does have the power to force a coalition in the event of a hung Parliament.

 

[JDKJ]

Alright so my question is this? What is a Chav? I've been called this on occasion and I don't think it's anything good, would someone care to explain?

A chav is a stereotype of certain people in the United Kingdom. Also known as a charver in Yorkshire and North East England "chavs" are said to be aggressive teenagers, of working class background, who repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdiness, or other forms of juvenile delinquency.

also, in Scotland we call them Neds, slight difference here and there but basically the same thing
OT: my question, is it true that most Americans don't know the difference between Britain and England or is that just a bad stereotype?

Probably not. But for a fact there was a poster here who posted, in relation to free speech in the UK, that "they don't have a constitution, they're governed by a monarchy, so I guess it's whatever the King and Queen say." Is that emblematic of all Americans' knowledge of the UK? Probably not. But it does say something about some Americans' knowledge of the UK.

well the Monarchy themself actually don't govern the country themselfs and actually have next to no actual power there really just figureheads and just there to bring the tourists.

Gee, thanks. Any other useful tidbits of information I didn't already know and which you can share would also be greatly appreciated.

The Queen does have the power to force a coalition in the event of a hung Parliament.

As does the American Vice President in his role as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate have the power to cast a tie-breaking vote. Probably another one of those thing we stole from the Brits when we were writing our Constitution.

 

[Scrubiii]

Alright so my question is this? What is a Chav? I've been called this on occasion and I don't think it's anything good, would someone care to explain?

A chav is a stereotype of certain people in the United Kingdom. Also known as a charver in Yorkshire and North East England "chavs" are said to be aggressive teenagers, of working class background, who repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdiness, or other forms of juvenile delinquency.

also, in Scotland we call them Neds, slight difference here and there but basically the same thing
OT: my question, is it true that most Americans don't know the difference between Britain and England or is that just a bad stereotype?

Probably not. But for a fact there was a poster here who posted, in relation to free speech in the UK, that "they don't have a constitution, they're governed by a monarchy, so I guess it's whatever the King and Queen say." Is that emblematic of all Americans' knowledge of the UK? Probably not. But it does say something about some Americans' knowledge of the UK.

well the Monarchy themself actually don't govern the country themselfs and actually have next to no actual power there really just figureheads and just there to bring the tourists.

Gee, thanks. Any other useful tidbits of information I didn't already know and which you can share would also be greatly appreciated.

The Queen does have the power to force a coalition in the event of a hung Parliament.

As does the American Vice President in his role as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate have the power to cast a tie-breaking vote. Probably another one of those thing we stole from the Brits when we were writing our Constitution.

She also owns all the swans in Britain which is, you know, a huge responsibility

 

[JDKJ]

how big is baseball in the UK?

Virtually non-existent. I don't know anyone who knows the rules or has ever played or watched a game in their life. Same with American Football.

The National Football League has been staging games in England for the past five seasons. They've proved immensely popular. One game at Wembley Stadium sold out 45,000 tickets, ranging in price from £45 through to £100, in 90 minutes. They've been forced to hold lotteries for the tickets because demand is so high. In one such recent lottery, 500,000 people signed up for a chance to buy tickets.

 

[Delusibeta]

To be honest, I have no opinions about David Cameron because this is the first time I have heard of him. God, gotta love American media (also "gotta" required no red lines, what has spell check come to). What has he been doing? Also how strong is the "conservative" (in quotes because I do not know the proper term, basically your guy's GOP) in the UK?

The Tories (nickname for the Conservates) are following though with their threats to cut the budget massively, although I don't think the effects on the front line has arrived yet. That said, I half-expect Labour would have done similar cuts on a similar scale had they stayed in power.

Ultimately? I'd say that Tories are most definitely left of the Republicans, and ever-so-slightly right of the Democrats in my opinion. Of course, I don't follow US politics too closely. Labour, last time I checked, is pretty much in the same spot the Democrats are on. In other words, they're right-wing by European standards.

 

[JDKJ]

Alright so my question is this? What is a Chav? I've been called this on occasion and I don't think it's anything good, would someone care to explain?

A chav is a stereotype of certain people in the United Kingdom. Also known as a charver in Yorkshire and North East England "chavs" are said to be aggressive teenagers, of working class background, who repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour such as street drinking, drug abuse and rowdiness, or other forms of juvenile delinquency.

also, in Scotland we call them Neds, slight difference here and there but basically the same thing
OT: my question, is it true that most Americans don't know the difference between Britain and England or is that just a bad stereotype?

Probably not. But for a fact there was a poster here who posted, in relation to free speech in the UK, that "they don't have a constitution, they're governed by a monarchy, so I guess it's whatever the King and Queen say." Is that emblematic of all Americans' knowledge of the UK? Probably not. But it does say something about some Americans' knowledge of the UK.

well the Monarchy themself actually don't govern the country themselfs and actually have next to no actual power there really just figureheads and just there to bring the tourists.

Gee, thanks. Any other useful tidbits of information I didn't already know and which you can share would also be greatly appreciated.

The Queen does have the power to force a coalition in the event of a hung Parliament.

As does the American Vice President in his role as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate have the power to cast a tie-breaking vote. Probably another one of those thing we stole from the Brits when we were writing our Constitution.

She also owns all the swans in Britain which is, you know, a huge responsibility

Let's not forget the all-important Christmas Day Speech. The friggin' country would fall apart if we didn't hear that on BBC come Christmas Morning.

 

[Delusibeta]

how big is baseball in the UK?

Virtually non-existent. I don't know anyone who knows the rules or has ever played or watched a game in their life. Same with American Football.

The National Football League has been staging games in England for the past five seasons. They've prove immensely popular. One game at Wembley Stadium sold out 45,000 tickets, ranging in price from £45 through to £100, in 90 minutes. They've been forced to hold lotteries for the tickets because demand is so high. In one such recent lottery, 500,000 people signed up for a chance to buy tickets.

Much for the same reason WWE shows are popular in the UK: because it's the frickin' NFL, man! It doesn't mean that there's any American Football played in Europe outside of the aforementioned NFL shows. (Indeed, professional wrestling seems to be pretty non-existant in the UK outside of aforementioned shows such as the occasional WWE tour).

 

[JDKJ]

how big is baseball in the UK?

Virtually non-existent. I don't know anyone who knows the rules or has ever played or watched a game in their life. Same with American Football.

The National Football League has been staging games in England for the past five seasons. They've prove immensely popular. One game at Wembley Stadium sold out 45,000 tickets, ranging in price from £45 through to £100, in 90 minutes. They've been forced to hold lotteries for the tickets because demand is so high. In one such recent lottery, 500,000 people signed up for a chance to buy tickets.

Much for the same reason WWE shows are popular in the UK: because it's the frickin' NFL, man! It doesn't mean that there's any American Football played in Europe outside of the aforementioned NFL shows. (Indeed, professional wrestling seems to be pretty non-existant in the UK outside of aforementioned shows such as the occasional WWE tour).

I'm not sure I'm following what you're saying but the fact that half a million people were willing to join a lottery in order to buy expensive tickets to watch American football being played in Wembley Stadium suggests to me that it is somewhat popular in England. It may not be Premier League or Test cricket, but it ain't exactly small time.

 

[Scrubiii]

how big is baseball in the UK?

Virtually non-existent. I don't know anyone who knows the rules or has ever played or watched a game in their life. Same with American Football.

The National Football League has been staging games in England for the past five seasons. They've proved immensely popular. One game at Wembley Stadium sold out 45,000 tickets, ranging in price from £45 through to £100, in 90 minutes. They've been forced to hold lotteries for the tickets because demand is so high. In one such recent lottery, 500,000 people signed up for a chance to buy tickets.

Really?? I had no idea but I'll look into it. I have no idea how to play American Football but from what I have seen I assume it's pretty similar to Rugby, which I'm a big fan of.

Maybe I should start an American-Russian Q&A then...

you bastard

Why?
Was it your idea, comrade?

No, this is my thread and if you want to copy it you shall have to face me in mortal kombat

OBJECTION!
I AM Russian, so it would be more of a "Ask a Russian" than "explain this to me"...
So...
FRIENDSHIP.

Heres a question about Russia for you. Are you all as fucking awesome as this guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWtxs5rl7jk

 

[JDKJ]

how big is baseball in the UK?

Virtually non-existent. I don't know anyone who knows the rules or has ever played or watched a game in their life. Same with American Football.

The National Football League has been staging games in England for the past five seasons. They've proved immensely popular. One game at Wembley Stadium sold out 45,000 tickets, ranging in price from £45 through to £100, in 90 minutes. They've been forced to hold lotteries for the tickets because demand is so high. In one such recent lottery, 500,000 people signed up for a chance to buy tickets.

Really?? I had no idea but I'll look into it. I have no idea how to play American Football but from what I have seen I assume it's pretty similar to Rugby, which I'm a big fan of.

I'll save you the leg work: http://nfllondon.net/tickets.html

It's a lot like rugby but for dandy-boys. Unlike rugby, the players wear helmets and pads.

 

[Jon Shannow]

Can Americans tell the difference between the different Scottish accents or like the one i met do you assume we all just sound like Sean Connery?

 

[DTWolfwood]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

 

[DTWolfwood]

Can Americans tell the difference between the different Scottish accents or like the one i met do you assume we all just sound like Sean Connery?

I think that should be a compliment to assume you all sound like Sean Connery. We americans hold him with high regard

Most would know your from the UK but the difference between a Scotish/English/Irish/Walsh would probably be lost to most americans. I'd be brave to say that a lot of americans can't tell the difference between the UK accents and the one from Australia.

Personally i can't tell if your scot or irish but the differences from English to Scots is pretty significant. It helps my clan has a lot of brits in them.

 

[Scrubiii]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

 

[DTWolfwood]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

awe here i was willing to try Haggis until that >.< I've had the 'pudding' and no sir, i do not like!

Spotted Dick sounds really bland

 

[Proverbial Jon]

The Americans have their equivalent: yanking your chain. It goes back to the days of gravity flush toilets that had a huge tank of water above the user's head and which were flushed by pulling on a chain. They flushed rather violently and were know to splash your ass with water if you were still seating on them. As a school prank, it was common to yank the chain while someone was still sitting on them, hence the expression: yanking your chain.

Now if only I had some actually useful information in my head, I'd be "sitting in high cotton" (a polite form of the traditional "shitting in high cotton" used to denote a beneficial situation).

Wow, I did not know that! We also use that expression, but it's not as widely used as some others. Also, we still have those toilets in some places over here, especially older buildings. Yeah, we're still stuck in the middle ages

 

[JDKJ]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

awe here i was willing to try Haggis until that >.< I've had the 'pudding' and no sir, i do not like!

Spotted Dick sounds really bland

Why are you setting yourself up to be the butt of any number of spotted dick jokes? Why?

 

[Scrubiii]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

awe here i was willing to try Haggis until that >.< I've had the 'pudding' and no sir, i do not like!

Spotted Dick sounds really bland

It is. Usually you have it with custard provide more flavour but even then it's pretty lame.

 

[JDKJ]

The Americans have their equivalent: yanking your chain. It goes back to the days of gravity flush toilets that had a huge tank of water above the user's head and which were flushed by pulling on a chain. They flushed rather violently and were know to splash your ass with water if you were still seating on them. As a school prank, it was common to yank the chain while someone was still sitting on them, hence the expression: yanking your chain.

Now if only I had some actually useful information in my head, I'd be "sitting in high cotton" (a polite form of the traditional "shitting in high cotton" used to denote a beneficial situation).

Wow, I did not know that! We also use that expression, but it's not as widely used as some others. Also, we still have those toilets in some places over here, especially older buildings. Yeah, we're still stuck in the middle ages

In the country where I'm originally from, we still have 'em, too. Mostly outside the major cities and in old properties, but you don't have to search too hard to find 'em.

 

[DTWolfwood]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

Yep. "Blood Pudding" is actually called black pudding and the blood isn't liquid, it's congealed and solidified and tastes similar to haggis. Its also not a pudding, it's usually eaten for breakfast as a substitute for sausage. Spotted Dick is just dough or suet cooked with currents in it.

awe here i was willing to try Haggis until that >.< I've had the 'pudding' and no sir, i do not like!

Spotted Dick sounds really bland

Why are you setting yourself up to be the butt of any number of spotted dick jokes? Why?

because its comical and the fact they have a food called Spotted Dick. i was hoping to get some of them comically lame puns! XD