the Top Gear British phrases explanation thread - Page 3

pepitko · January 3rd, 2009, 9:42 PM

A good idea

, maybe you guys could give us non-Brits some color on the Bill Oddie references in the Japan race. For instance, I remember the "he can spot your beaver from a hundred yards away," I didn't quite get that.. thanks.

Dogbert · January 3rd, 2009, 10:05 PM

I think they were just making a running joke out of him in the episode. They frequently reference anything nature-nerd-related as "all Bill Oddieish" (Africa special, caravan special, etc). "He can spot your beaver from a hundred yards away" should become more obvious now, given the discussion on the page prior to this one.

the Interceptor · January 3rd, 2009, 10:08 PM

I think I'm going to include Bill Oddie without any specific statement, since he's been mentioned several times. A general description of him as a wildlife watcher should do the trick.

EDIT: Put'em in.

EDIT: found another question: in the Africa special (10x04) at 23:52, James says something along the lines of "Is my car on the crab?" to Richard. Hammond answers it with something like "No, it's tracking tray and true mate.". What exactly do they say there, I can't find it on the web? I do understand they're talking about track as in suspension setup, but what are their words exactly?

Cobol74 · January 3rd, 2009, 11:55 PM

If you are crabing you are going sideways (Crabs walk sidways) - the tracking set up on your car is out; you (well I do any how) get it reset to spec by the tyre specialist shop when changing the boots.

shellygrrl · January 4th, 2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

Rozzers
person: James May
episode: *wanted*
explanation: In the police car challenge, James lines his car with stickers that say "Rozzers". It is one of the many slang terms people use instead of "police", a British one in this case.
links: Wikipedia

The cheap police car challenge was in 11x01. But the term "rozzers" is used by James before that.

In the race to Monte Carlo (4x01), police start following Jeremy while he's on the phone to James and Richard, James says, "I think he's been nipped by the rozzers." (video; relevant bit starts at around the 2:56 mark)

In the race across London (10x05), the van following James with the camera crew inside is pulled over by the cops. (James: "Oh, crikey. It's the rozzers." (said @ the 4:23 mark))

Richmondgal · January 4th, 2009, 12:40 AM

Can someone put a proper definition of cock? Because i don't know what you have to do to be a cock.

amandalea · January 4th, 2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmondgal

Can someone put a proper definition of cock? Because i don't know what you have to do to be a cock.

Drive an Audi. Or was that depleted from the requirements? Hard to tell these days.

Topgearfanatic · January 4th, 2009, 1:14 AM

You have to have a blue tooth headset and drive an inch off the bumper of the person in front of you.

Tompie913 · January 4th, 2009, 1:14 AM

I remember in I think 12x06 that Jeremy asked "What if the Alfa Mito was named for Twickerdam (Or whatever) and Attercliffe" to get the effect that it'd be named the twiff. I actually had to look it up to find that the urban dictionary defines it as "A pretty vagina"

Topgearfanatic · January 4th, 2009, 1:36 AM

I thought he said twat?

Plissken · January 4th, 2009, 1:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Interceptor

EDIT: found another question: in the Africa special (10x04) at 23:52, James says something along the lines of "Is my car on the crab?" to Richard. Hammond answers it with something like "No, it's tracking tray and true mate.". What exactly do they say there, I can't find it on the web? I do understand they're talking about track as in suspension setup, but what are their words exactly?

Not sure on what James is saying but Hammond will be saying "No, it's tracking straight and true mate".

I assume James is saying the tracking is out of alignment (its rolling sideways like a crab.)

Tompie913 · January 4th, 2009, 1:46 AM

He didn't actually say it, he said the MiTo got its name from Milan and Torino, and implied the result you'd get from Twickerdam and Attercliff. The only thing I can think of that it'd be is twiff.

Plissken · January 4th, 2009, 1:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tompie913

I remember in I think 12x06 that Jeremy asked "What if the Alfa Mito was named for Twickerdam (Or whatever) and Attercliffe" to get the effect that it'd be named the twiff. I actually had to look it up to find that the urban dictionary defines it as "A pretty vagina"

Wouldn't be a "twiff", it would be a "twat". Slang for a womans naughty bits.

Plissken · January 4th, 2009, 1:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmondgal

Can someone put a proper definition of cock? Because i don't know what you have to do to be a cock.

Polite way of saying prick, asshole, dickhead, selfish idiot etc etc.

Tompie913 · January 4th, 2009, 1:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plissken

Wouldn't be a "twiff", it would be a "twat". Slang for a womans naughty bits.

Oh. Well either one works actually, but you're probably right.

Plissken · January 4th, 2009, 1:50 AM

Twiff is a new one on me. If MiTo is Milan and Torino, then first two letters of each word TW-AT.

Oh, and "Twickerdam" is actually "Twickenham". Posh suburb of London. Notable for having the England rugby stadium. Attercliffe is in Yorkshire, Sheffield I think.

shellygrrl · January 4th, 2009, 2:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmondgal

Can someone put a proper definition of cock? Because i don't know what you have to do to be a cock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plissken

Polite way of saying prick, asshole, dickhead, selfish idiot etc etc.

Also a euphemism for a certain part of the male anatomy, or another word for "rooster".

pattyt · January 4th, 2009, 2:56 AM

whats with the like "peace sign", like putting up two fingers? I saw it when they took 3 supercars to france to see the bridge. When james passed hammond going the wrong way on the twisty roads. Anyone explain this to me?

shellygrrl · January 4th, 2009, 3:43 AM

I think it was sort of like giving The Finger.

Lupin_IV · January 4th, 2009, 3:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattyt

whats with the like "peace sign", like putting up two fingers? I saw it when they took 3 supercars to france to see the bridge. When james passed hammond going the wrong way on the twisty roads. Anyone explain this to me?

The archer's fingers, a gesture referencing the removal the index and middle fingers of archers captured in war.

January 3rd, 2009, 9:42 PM	#41
pepitko Joined: Jan 22nd, 2007 Last Online: 9:55 AM Location: Prague, CZ Age: 23 Posts: 833 Car: diesel Skoda & Peugeot scooter Rep Power: 26	A good idea , maybe you guys could give us non-Brits some color on the Bill Oddie references in the Japan race. For instance, I remember the "he can spot your beaver from a hundred yards away," I didn't quite get that.. thanks. __________________ "I don’t really want a Lamborghini Gallardo. But I don’t want to live in a world where it doesn’t exist." - Jeremy Clarkson

January 3rd, 2009, 10:05 PM	#42
Dogbert Helsinki Smash Rod Joined: Nov 15th, 2008 Last Online: March 16th, 2010 Location: N38° 37', W90° 17' Age: 23 Posts: 5,143 Car: Roger Dean's Rocks Rep Power: 343	I think they were just making a running joke out of him in the episode. They frequently reference anything nature-nerd-related as "all Bill Oddieish" (Africa special, caravan special, etc). "He can spot your beaver from a hundred yards away" should become more obvious now, given the discussion on the page prior to this one. __________________ Get out. Your incredulous education system and archaic judicial practices are a stain on our country.

January 3rd, 2009, 10:08 PM	#43
the Interceptor I LUV MY PRIUS!!! Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: 12:40 PM Location: Germany Age: 32 Posts: 4,057 Car: BMW E36 323i ultraleggera (-143 kg) Rep Power: 208	I think I'm going to include Bill Oddie without any specific statement, since he's been mentioned several times. A general description of him as a wildlife watcher should do the trick. EDIT: Put'em in. EDIT: found another question: in the Africa special (10x04) at 23:52, James says something along the lines of "Is my car on the crab?" to Richard. Hammond answers it with something like "No, it's tracking tray and true mate.". What exactly do they say there, I can't find it on the web? I do understand they're talking about track as in suspension setup, but what are their words exactly? __________________ "My next attempt to make [the Nikon 14-24mm] look bad saw me shooting at ISO400 with the Canon 5D wide open at a distance of less than three feet. I know it's wrong, but this lens just brings out my inner Ken Rockwell." - 16-9.net Got a question regarding Hi-Fi of any kind? Then check my general audio thread. Last edited by the Interceptor; January 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 PM.

January 3rd, 2009, 11:55 PM	#44
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 1:21 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 9,613 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 208	If you are crabing you are going sideways (Crabs walk sidways) - the tracking set up on your car is out; you (well I do any how) get it reset to spec by the tyre specialist shop when changing the boots. __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

January 4th, 2009, 12:40 AM	#46
Richmondgal Not A Dude Joined: Feb 19th, 2008 Last Online: 12:25 PM Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,542 Car: Not a Holden Monaro, but a Hyundai Getz will do Rep Power: 78	Can someone put a proper definition of cock? Because i don't know what you have to do to be a cock. __________________ Want to see my crappy automotive journalism? Click here

January 4th, 2009, 1:14 AM	#48
Topgearfanatic is a Queen Joined: Jul 3rd, 2008 Last Online: 6:46 AM Location: MA Age: 16 Posts: 2,626 Car: 2002 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T Rep Power: 123	You have to have a blue tooth headset and drive an inch off the bumper of the person in front of you. __________________

January 4th, 2009, 1:14 AM	#49
Tompie913 Joined: Nov 30th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 124 Rep Power: 11	I remember in I think 12x06 that Jeremy asked "What if the Alfa Mito was named for Twickerdam (Or whatever) and Attercliffe" to get the effect that it'd be named the twiff. I actually had to look it up to find that the urban dictionary defines it as "A pretty vagina"

January 4th, 2009, 1:36 AM	#50
Topgearfanatic is a Queen Joined: Jul 3rd, 2008 Last Online: 6:46 AM Location: MA Age: 16 Posts: 2,626 Car: 2002 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T Rep Power: 123	I thought he said twat? __________________

January 4th, 2009, 1:46 AM	#52
Tompie913 Joined: Nov 30th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 124 Rep Power: 11	He didn't actually say it, he said the MiTo got its name from Milan and Torino, and implied the result you'd get from Twickerdam and Attercliff. The only thing I can think of that it'd be is twiff.

January 4th, 2009, 1:50 AM	#56
Plissken Joined: Jul 26th, 2005 Last Online: 8:55 AM Posts: 849 Rep Power: 113	Twiff is a new one on me. If MiTo is Milan and Torino, then first two letters of each word TW-AT. Oh, and "Twickerdam" is actually "Twickenham". Posh suburb of London. Notable for having the England rugby stadium. Attercliffe is in Yorkshire, Sheffield I think. __________________ As I grew older, I wanted to become like Jeremy Clarkson. Unfortunately, it appears that I'm turning into James May. On the plus side, I know that at least I can drive better than Richard Hammond. Adios to anonymous neg-repping. I felt a great disturbance in the forums, as if millions of cowardly keyboard warriors cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

January 4th, 2009, 2:56 AM	#58
pattyt Joined: Oct 9th, 2007 Last Online: January 3rd, 2010 Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	whats with the like "peace sign", like putting up two fingers? I saw it when they took 3 supercars to france to see the bridge. When james passed hammond going the wrong way on the twisty roads. Anyone explain this to me?

January 4th, 2009, 3:43 AM	#59
shellygrrl Not A Dude Joined: Nov 29th, 2008 Last Online: 1:04 AM Location: Maine Posts: 1,598 Rep Power: 178	I think it was sort of like giving The Finger. __________________ "Unlike James May, I will only run on television." ~ Jeremy Clarkson "This is where we'll see the advantage of the optional sport pack." ~ James May "Oversteer is best, because you don't see the tree that kills you." ~ Richard Hammond "James is NOT gorgeous. He’s hairy, churlish and has curious personal habits." ~ Oz Clarke "ALL TV programmes have a script (and/or storyboard), otherwise as other posters have said it would be chaos, and TG would look like a Youtube video from someone's backyard." ~ ozgirl

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