the Top Gear British phrases explanation thread - Page 2

Heathrow · January 3rd, 2009, 3:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

I've been wanting to make this thread for a long time. I remember the thought has already been going round some time ago, and the reactions were thoroughly positive.

The idea is to gather "exotic" phrases, names, words and the like heard on Top Gear in this thread, along with a short explanation.

.

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

It is, thank you. I also found another phrase I don't get: badger's badger. Anyone?

I'll include that, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

Ah, so the badger is the British version of beaver!? images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

Agree with JMH ^, and the BBC probabaly would think it a bit too rude for a show going out at 20:00.

Great idea for a thread and Wiki, I'll help as and when. images/smilies/smile.gif

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 3:35 PM

I don't know if this is the kind of thing you're looking for, but I had to google for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darcey_Bussell

Thanks for the thread idea. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 3:39 PM

Quote:

"Despite the roughness [of the sea], Captain Cogshaw [referring to James May, actual spelling unknown] was supremely confident in his engineering and eager to get going."
person: Jeremy Clarkson
episode: 10x02, boats made of cars vs. the Channel
explanation: *wanted*
links: -

I'm pretty sure this was really said as "Captain Cocksure" which makes more sense. images/smilies/smile.gif

the Interceptor · January 3rd, 2009, 3:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

I don't know if this is the kind of thing you're looking for, but I had to google for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darcey_Bussell

When and how is this mentioned?

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 3:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

When and how is this mentioned?

Sorry, it was the name they gave the marble statue that James had to carry around on his Honda Cub in the Vietnam special.

the Interceptor · January 3rd, 2009, 3:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

Sorry, it was the name they gave the marble statue that James had to carry around on his Honda Cub in the Vietnam special.

Will add that, already did with Captain Cocksure. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Heathrow · January 3rd, 2009, 3:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

I'm pretty sure this was really said as "Captain Cocksure" which makes more sense. images/smilies/smile.gif

Hmm, not sure about that.
From memory I think it was Captain Pugwash but I can’t be sure.

Any chance of the clip being posted anybody? images/smilies/smile.gif

the Interceptor · January 3rd, 2009, 3:58 PM

I just watched it, and I understood something like "Cogshaw". So cocksure would fit as well as make sense. images/smilies/smile.gif

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 4:02 PM

Oooh, I thought of another pretty obscure one (to non-Brits).

In the African Special, Jeremy refers to James as "Widow Twankey"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widow_Twankey
after James complains about the salt pans being just a big bowl of dust.
It's at about 27:15 on [10x4].

Still not sure about the nature of the reference.
Maybe it's because of the way James looked in his headgear?

I totally had to look that one up as well. images/smilies/lol.gif

amandalea · January 3rd, 2009, 4:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

Still not sure about the nature of the reference. Maybe it's because of the way James looked in his headgear?

Well, it says she was a pantomime dame. A pantomime dame, in turn, was a '[character] played either in an extremely camp style, often but not exclusively by actors well-known for their homosexuality or effeminacy.'

Fits quite well with Jeremy's known palette of James!Bashing now that I think of it.

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 4:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandalea

Well, it says she was a pantomime dame. A pantomime dame, in turn, was a '[character] played either in an extremely camp style, often but not exclusively by actors well-known for their homosexuality or effeminacy.'

Fits quite well with Jeremy's known palette of James!Bashing now that I think of it.

Yup, I didn't know if he said it because of James's complaining (maybe that was Widow Twankey's nature?) or if he looked like she is portrayed in the pantos?

It's a really obscure reference for an American.
Even a long-time anglophile like me. images/smilies/wink.gif

amandalea · January 3rd, 2009, 4:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

It's a really obscure reference for an American.
Even a long-time anglophile like me. images/smilies/wink.gif

Or Canadian. images/smilies/tongue.gif

And to be completely honest, I hadn't even known about the darn thing until you brought it up. So good eagle- ...ears? images/smilies/lol.gif

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 4:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandalea

Or Canadian. images/smilies/tongue.gif

And to be completely honest, I hadn't even known about the darn thing until you brought it up. So good eagle- ...ears? images/smilies/lol.gif

Well, I kept saying to myself, "What did Jeremy just say?"
and when I got a google hit on "Widow Twankey" I was shocked! images/smilies/lol.gif

I hope if I've misheard it, someone will correct me.
I've posted the time on [10x4] at which it appears.

freefall · January 3rd, 2009, 5:17 PM

Just read books people!
Which I haven't been doing much lately, to my absolute shame images/smilies/sad.gif

the Interceptor · January 3rd, 2009, 6:47 PM

Okay, I've got one more from 12x07.

Introducing the Tesla segment, Jeremy says:"so let's move it on to brown rice eco cars."

I don't get the brown rice reference, what's up with that?

GullWing · January 3rd, 2009, 7:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

Okay, I've got one more from 12x07.

Introducing the Tesla segment, Jeremy says:"so let's move it on to brown rice eco cars."

I don't get the brown rice reference, what's up with that?

I think it's just a broad reference to green movement, hippie-type, ecomentalists (as Jeremy calls them) who are thought to consume unrefined, "natural" foods like whole grains, brown rice, unpasteurized dairy, organic vegetables and the like.

Heathrow · January 3rd, 2009, 7:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

I just watched it, and I understood something like "Cogshaw". So cocksure would fit as well as make sense. images/smilies/smile.gif

Yes, fair enough Captain Cocksure it is, which is slightly odd compound name even for Jeremy. I thought about the Pugwash thing and maybe it was in the first amphibious cars episode in the earlier series.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

Well, I kept saying to myself, "What did Jeremy just say?"
and when I got a google hit on "Widow Twankey" I was shocked! images/smilies/lol.gif

I hope if I've misheard it, someone will correct me.
I've posted the time on [10x4] at which it appears.

Yup, James looked like a perfect Widow Twankey. (Good spot!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullWing

I think it's just a broad reference to green movement, hippie-type, ecomentalists (as Jeremy calls them) who are thought to consume unrefined, "natural" foods like whole grains, brown rice, unpasteurized dairy, organic vegetables and the like.

That’s how I understood it as well. images/smilies/smile.gif

olaola · January 3rd, 2009, 9:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

Ah, so the badger is the British version of beaver!? images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

sorry for offtopic, but it reminds me this

nate_bartlet · January 3rd, 2009, 9:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olaola

sorry for offtopic, but it reminds me this

well that was erm... different.
damn thing was hypnotic though, must've been staring at it for about 5 mins

Cobol74 · January 3rd, 2009, 9:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandalea

Well, it says she was a pantomime dame. A pantomime dame, in turn, was a '[character] played either in an extremely camp style, often but not exclusively by actors well-known for their homosexuality or effeminacy.'

Fits quite well with Jeremy's known palette of James!Bashing now that I think of it.

Ever been to a Panto? You have no idea until you go - very singular British theatre. At Christmas of course.

Oh and btw "He's behind you!" images/smilies/lol.gif

January 3rd, 2009, 3:35 PM	#22
GullWing Joined: Nov 4th, 2008 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 145 Car: Honda Civic Rep Power: 7	I don't know if this is the kind of thing you're looking for, but I had to google for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darcey_Bussell Thanks for the thread idea. __________________ "Crikey, it's the rozzers..."

January 3rd, 2009, 3:58 PM	#28
the Interceptor I LUV MY PRIUS!!! Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 3,518 Car: BMW E36 323i ultraleggera (-143 kg) Rep Power: 108	I just watched it, and I understood something like "Cogshaw". So cocksure would fit as well as make sense. __________________ "We have to laugh at the Germans, because they're so riddled with guilt about their history, they can't laugh at themselves." - Jeremy Clarkson Got a question regarding Hi-Fi of any kind? Then check my general audio thread. Last edited by the Interceptor; January 3rd, 2009 at 5:10 PM.

January 3rd, 2009, 4:02 PM	#29
GullWing Joined: Nov 4th, 2008 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 145 Car: Honda Civic Rep Power: 7	Oooh, I thought of another pretty obscure one (to non-Brits). In the African Special, Jeremy refers to James as "Widow Twankey" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widow_Twankey after James complains about the salt pans being just a big bowl of dust. It's at about 27:15 on [10x4]. Still not sure about the nature of the reference. Maybe it's because of the way James looked in his headgear? I totally had to look that one up as well. __________________ "Crikey, it's the rozzers..." Last edited by GullWing; January 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 PM.

January 3rd, 2009, 6:47 PM	#35
the Interceptor I LUV MY PRIUS!!! Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 3,518 Car: BMW E36 323i ultraleggera (-143 kg) Rep Power: 108	Okay, I've got one more from 12x07. Introducing the Tesla segment, Jeremy says:"so let's move it on to brown rice eco cars." I don't get the brown rice reference, what's up with that? __________________ "We have to laugh at the Germans, because they're so riddled with guilt about their history, they can't laugh at themselves." - Jeremy Clarkson Got a question regarding Hi-Fi of any kind? Then check my general audio thread. Last edited by the Interceptor; January 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 PM.

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January 3rd, 2009, 5:17 PM	#34
freefall Joined: Sep 1st, 2008 Last Online: 8:48 AM Posts: 504 Rep Power: 27	Just read books people! Which I haven't been doing much lately, to my absolute shame

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