ROYAL EXPRESSIONS

Do You Know What British People Call A Person Full Of Energy?

Credit: Marko Pekić

Speaking the same language doesn’t always guarantee effective communication. For example, the elderly and the young share a language but not a code. In the case of our fellow English speakers across the Atlantic, some words and phrases are quite specific to their culture. Have you ever heard someone say "Bagsy!" or what about "pulling a blinder"? In this article, we’ve gathered 10 British expressions and we’ll tell you all about their origins. Are you ready? Read on!

Credit: Marcos Luiz Photograph

Claiming the front seat or the first spot in line can be a messy business, especially when you are a kid. In American English, we call it "dibs." But in British English, the equivalent expression is "bagsy."

You don’t need to be a kid to use this expression, but it's more commonly heard among them in scenarios like claiming the last piece of cake, or that special seating in the front. Shotgun! Dibs! Bagsy! However you say it, claim away!

Credit: Alexander Grey

Our article aside, whatever it is one is pulling, it must be really hard to do if one is blind, don’t you think? Well, that is basically the essence behind this British expression.

"Pulling a blinder" describes the result of achieving something that is deemed impossible or difficult but without any kind of effort at all. Skill might be important, but according to this expression, the X factor is good luck, and the person saying this is a bit skeptical about the achievement. Have you ever used it?

Credit: kelisa Bernard

This quirky phrase has a quirky backstory, and we’re here to tell you about it! Similar to "et voilá," this phrase is used when you get something done and want to celebrate. For example: "Just press that blue button, create an account, and Bob’s your uncle! You’re on social media!"

Now, as for the backstory, this phrase is believed to have originated in the 19th century, when the British Prime Minister Robert "Bob" Cecil appointed his nephew as Irish Secretary. This led people to believe that having an Uncle Bob makes everything easier and achievable.

Credit: Holger Woizick

Yes, you read that right, this expression mentions Mickey. But it has nothing to do with Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. This playful expression means to tease or make fun of someone, often in a good-natured way.

Lighthearted and mildly irritating as it can be, this expression is a variation of a Cockney rhyme called "Mickey Bliss," but we won’t get into the euphemism behind it. You might hear it as "taking the mick" or even "taking the mickey out of someone."

Credit: Maxime Rossignol

Imagine you have to paint your walls and ask a friend to join you in the task, only to find that the walls end up looking like a Pollock painting gone wrong! That is "a botch job".

The word "botch" has been in use since the Middle Ages to refer to the action of repairing something without much skill. Over time, it evolved to mean both a task done badly in a hurry and its obvious disastrous consequences. Have you ever done a botch job?

Credit: Peter Conlan

We all know that person who, no matter the time of the day, is always full of energy, coming up with new plans, constantly coming and going, always on the move. Well, for the British, that person is "full of beans."

The origins of this expression go back to the 14th century, and its original version was "full of prunes." As for the use of beans, it refers to the food horses were fed back then. When they had their portion of beans for the day, they became quite energetic, hence this fun phrase was coined!

Credit: Pavan Trikutam

The full expression is actually "give me a tinkler on the blower," and it is naturally used in colloquial, informal British English. Now, as for the meaning, it means to call someone on the telephone.

The main component of this phrase is the word "tinkle" which comes from Middle English and refers to a succession of ringing sounds." In that sense, the meaning of the word evolved in such a manner that it came to refer to the sounds made by the phone.

Credit: Freysteinn G. Jonsson

The United Kingdom is known for many things, but one stands out the most: the rain! Gray, rainy days are so common that they came up with a quick way to refer to the only object that keeps us protected, the umbrella.

In British English, nobody asks for an umbrella; they ask for the "brolly." This short version of "umbrella" dates back to the 1870s, when it was recorded in Hotten’s Slang Dictionary. So, as you can imagine, this is also a colloquial term. Whenever you visit London, this term will surely come in handy!

Credit: Thiago Barletta

You’re meeting with some friends in the park, ready to chat and share. The sittings are limited and sharing now refers to the bench too. In that case, British people don’t say "scoot over," or "move over." Instead, they say "budge up."

The origins of this expression are unknown, but it is a relatively recent one as it can be traced to the mid-20th century.

Credit: Gerrie van der Walt

Nobody thinks dog food is particularly appetizing, but the meaning behind this expression takes that feeling to the next level. Similar to "dog’s breakfast," this expression refers to something that is a mess or a fiasco and it dates back to the beginning of the 20th century.

However, there is an alternative meaning: it also refers to someone dressed in a smart and fancy manner. In the UK, the latter is the more frequent meaning, but you can use it in either context. Choose your own adventure!

HAVE A CUP OF JOE AND READ ON

Did You Ever Have A Cup In One Of These Iconic Coffee Shop Chains?

Credit: Jonas Jacobsson

All coffee chains are equal. But some coffee chains are more equal than others. Among the infinite chains out there, some of them find a way into our preferences. Maybe you have a favorite one because you like a certain brew or treat, because you have found a cozy spot, because it is conveniently closer, or some other equally valid reason.

From behemoths like Starbucks to smaller players like Verve Coffee Roasters (that is, smaller when compared to Starbucks), every town has at least one or two examples of the specialty coffee craze that seems to have taken over America in the past 25 years. So, read on and see if your favorite Java joint made our list.

Credit: Sorin Sirbu

It’s easy to dislike the giant corporations but, because of the sheer number of its locations, great cafes to hang out in, and a unique lineup of customizable and seasonal beverages, Starbucks has an infinite number of followers.

From hot lattes and mochas to frappuccinos and cold brews, there's something on the menu for everyone, everywhere.

Credit: Mikail Duran

Many people don't see Dunkin' as a gourmet coffeehouse, which is understandable since the name used to have the word "Donuts" in it. But others swear by their blends. And, truth be told, Dunkin' knows a thing or two about doughnuts and coffee since the chain has been providing both since 1948.

While doughnuts were long the focus of the chain, Dunkin' made moves in 2018 to take on Starbucks. In addition to the tasty doughnuts, more espresso-based drinks were added to the menu. While Dunkin' has yet to fully match Starbucks's dominance on the coffee side of the business, it does have a big advantage in one key category: doughnuts.

Credit: Erik Mclean

What once seemed like a small Canadian adventure into U.S. territory has turned into a full-blown coffee invasion (in the best sense possible, that is). The iconic Canadian coffee chain is steadily taking a piece of the American coffee market.

While most of Tim Hortons' current American locations are in states that share a border with Canada, like New York, Michigan, and Ohio, the chain has eyes on Florida and Texas. As it continues its planned expansion, you just might find a shop near you soon.

Credit: Demi DeHerrera

Hailing from California, Verve Coffee Roasters was started by a pair of surfers but it has gone worldwide since. It is known for its farm and community initiatives, such as planting 60,000 coffee seedlings in Colombia.

Its top sellers include the Sermon blend, a beverage with blueberry, cocoa, and candied pecan notes.

Credit: Nathan Dumlao

A consolidated brand, already into their fourth decade and with over 750 coffeehouses around the globe, Caribou Coffee has a huge menu of coffee classics, from their Campfire Mocha to a classic cold press.

Caribou Coffee founder John Puckett was a management consultant for the Boston-based firm Bain & Company, helping develop ideas and strategies for other companies, when he decided he wanted to become an entrepreneur after a trip to Denali National Park in Alaska and start a coffee company.

Credit: Taha

An established name in the coffee industry, Peet's Coffee has been a staple since the 1960s. This is a coffee-forward pick for all the aficionados. If you're into dark, oily coffee and hand-roasted coffee beans, Peet's Coffee may be a great choice.

The semi-national brand specializes in single-origin beans and blends, and it prides itself on having the freshest beans. Perusing its menu you'll find all the cafe classics, like lattes, cold brews, iced americanos, flat whites, and cappuccinos, plus some more unique offerings, like Frappés, Black Tie, Iced Matcha Lattes, or the Horchata Cold Brew Oat Latte.

Credit: Jakub Dziubak

It sounds like a British name but in fact, Biggby Coffee is pronounced "big B". It was founded in 1995 in the city of East Lansing, Michigan, by Bob Fish and Mary Roszel.

Offering a calmer experience than the one found in bigger names like Starbucks or Dunkin’, Biggby is growing through franchises all over the country.

Credit: Nicolas Nieves-Quiroz

Another Oregon coffee shop like Starbucks but nowhere near as big, Dutch Bros. remains in the western part of the country. And, in the same way that with its bigger cousin, you go to these places to order a latte with three or more ingredients in its name, not for a quality cup of black coffee.

The chain, known for its convenient drive-thru coffee shops, originally opened as a push cart with an espresso machine in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon. It now has 831 locations.

Credit: Cathryn Lavery

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of the veterans on our list. It opened its first store in 1968 in Los Angeles, California when founder Herbert Hyman discovered quality coffee in Sweden. The Coffee Bean focused on selling whole beans and allowed customers to sample different varieties of coffee beans before purchasing.

This coffee shop’s most iconic drinks are the Ice Blended. These are frozen drinks that can be either coffee or tea-based, first invented in 1987 after an employee brought a blender to the store. In it, they mixed ice, coffee extract, and chocolate powder.

Credit: Nathan Dumlao

A regional chain that originated in New Orleans, PJ’s Coffee has locations throughout the South, as well as in other states. The company claims its iced coffee is brewed every day, using a unique drip process that is designed to produce less acidic drinks.

The menu offers specialty beverages ranging from hot to frozen. And, while the pastries and breakfast offerings at PJ's are good, some locations serve beignets, a New Orleans special.