What British People say and What They Actually Mean

Post date: Apr 5, 2015 5:54:25 AM

When British people say one thing, they often really mean the exact opposite! Any Brit will recognize themselves in this list.

1. 'I might join you later'

— Translation: I'm not leaving the house today unless it's on fire.

2. 'Excuse me, sorry, is anyone sitting here?'

— Translation: You have 3 seconds to move your bag before I get really annoyed.

3. 'Not to worry.'

— Translation: I will never forget this!

4. 'Sorry.'

— Translation: My name is... (Saying sorry as a way of introducing yourself.)

5. 'Bit wet out there.'

— Translation: You're going to need a snorkel because it's absolutely pissing it down out there!

6. Ending an email with 'Thanks'.

— Translation: I'm perilously close to losing my temper!

7. 'Right then, I really should start to think about possibly making a move.'

— Translation: Bye!

8. 'It's fine.'

— Translation: It really couldn't get any worse, but it probably will do...

9. 'Perfect.'

— Translation: Well that's ruined then!

10. 'A bit of a pickle.'

— Translation: A catastrophically bad situation with potentially fatal consequences.

11: 'Not too bad, actually.'

— Translation: I'm probably the happiest I've ever been.

12. 'Honestly, it doesn't matter.'

— Translation: Nothing has ever mattered more than this.

13. 'You've caught the sun.'

— Translation: You look like you've been swimming in a volcano.

14. 'That's certainly one way of looking at it.'

— Translation: That's certainly the wrong way of looking at it.

15. Saying 'I have the 5p if it helps.' and never knowing if it ever does help.

16. 'If you say so.'

— Translation: I'm afraid that what you're saying is the height of idiocy.

17. 'With all due respect...'

— Translation: You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

18. Saying 'You're welcome' as quietly as possible to people that don't say thank you, but using it as a form of punishment.

19. Meanings of 'I beg your pardon'

— Translation: a) I didn't hear you; b) I apologise; c) What you're saying is making me absolutely livid!

20. 'It could be worse.'

— Translation: It couldn't possibly be any worse.

21. 'Each to their own.'

— Translation: You're wrong, but never mind.

22. 'Pop around anytime.'

— Translation: Please stay away from my house.

23. 'I'm just popping out for lunch, does anyone else want anything?'

— Translation: I'm getting my own lunch now, please don't ask me to get you anything!

24. Saying: 'I might get some cash out, actually', despite approaching the cash machine and being 100% certain of getting some cash out.

25. 'No, no, honestly it was my fault.'

— Translation: It was absolutely your fault and we both know it!

26. 'No, yeah, that's very interesting!'

— Translation: You are boring me to death!

27. 'No harm done.'

— Translation: You have ruined everything!

28. 'Just whenever you get a minute...'

— Translation: Now!

29. 'I'm sure it'll be fine.'

— Translation: I fully expect the situation to deteriorate rapidly!

30. 'Sorry, I think you might have dropped something...'

— Translation: You have definitely dropped that specific item! Inspired by the book Very British Problems.

Source:

http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2015/04/what-british-people-say-can-be-very-different-from-what-they-actually-mean.html