Knickers In A Twist

 

Ever heard the phrase "Don't get your knickers in a knot?" I've used it myself when a friend is worried over something trivial. What were knickers? In a word, they were old English underpants..... see the image and notice the split in the middle????

I'm not dwelling further in English underwear, but on British slang. Found a fun little book, Dictionary of British Slang, by Jonathan Bernstein, 2006:

    bunk off --  to play hooky

    do a runner --  leave a cafe without paying

    wobbly  --  refers to somebody untrustworthy

    the trouser department  --  referring to male genitals

    braces  --  suspenders

    glossies  --  magazines

    corker  --  an enthusiastic opinion

    panda car  --  small police car

    gammy  --  the injured part of the body

    twit  --  idiotic behavior

    paddy  --  catchall term for Irishmen

    poxy  --  most unpleasant

    number plate  --  car license plate

    dustman  --  garbage collector

    lollipopman  --  crossing guard

    brolly  --  umbrella

    that takes the biscuit  --  that beats anything I've ever heard

    tickety boo  --  everything's going great

Please feel free to employ any of these in your daily dialogs.