Re: Differences between US and UK English (and others....)
[quote author=ThorsSon link=topic=758.msg11863#msg11863 date=1289467204]
Why is "bollocks" good, but "dog's bollocks" bad? But, if there isn't really an explanation, I can understand, since in the US, we have a similar paradox: saying "that is shit" is bad, while saying "that is the shit" is good.
[/quote]You've got that the wrong way round... 'the dog's bollocks' means something's excellent i.e 'that gig was the dog's bollocks' Sometimes shortened to 'the DBs'. I hate that phrase. 'Bollocks' I use all the time.
I drop my tea. "Bollocks!"
David Cameron expresses concern for the poor. "Bollocks!"
So it can mean BS, or just be a simple swear word. Or you can 'bollocks it up' i.e make a mistake.
[quote author=ThorsSon link=topic=758.msg11863#msg11863 date=1289467204]
Why is "bollocks" good, but "dog's bollocks" bad? But, if there isn't really an explanation, I can understand, since in the US, we have a similar paradox: saying "that is shit" is bad, while saying "that is the shit" is good.
[/quote]You've got that the wrong way round... 'the dog's bollocks' means something's excellent i.e 'that gig was the dog's bollocks' Sometimes shortened to 'the DBs'. I hate that phrase. 'Bollocks' I use all the time.
I drop my tea. "Bollocks!"
David Cameron expresses concern for the poor. "Bollocks!"
So it can mean BS, or just be a simple swear word. Or you can 'bollocks it up' i.e make a mistake.
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