Questions for the Brits

[IggytheBorg]

Running across a bit of British slang in a book I'm reading, I was reminded how there are a few phrases or terms the meaning of which I'm just not sure. So I thought I'd ask the Britons among us if they could enlighten my darkness.

First, what is a "crisp"? Is this what an American would call a potato chip? Is it a cracker? Or something else entirely?

When one says "Half Seven (or whatever time)", does that mean what an American might call "Half Past Seven (i.e. 7:30)", or is it half an hour TO seven (i.e., 6:30), or something else?

I think there was one other term, but I can't remember it at the moment. If I think of it, I'll add it later. Any help will assist me in sleeping better at night. Thanks.

[Captain Russ]

Crisps are potato chips and chips are french fries.

Half Seven, Half Ten, yes these correlate to our 7:30 and 10:30.

[Abraham Smashington]

I really wish the term "bird" would fly over here.

thanks to the Streets, I called all women "birds" for a few months. I'm not proud.

[Captain Russ]

I'd rather get the bogan version and call 'em all Sheilas. Makes getting blackout drunk so much easier.

Apologies to our British friends. I blame Austin Powers.

[Ingrid]

Had to ask a British friend what 'wotcher' meant. Damn you Harry Potter!

Also this is a pretty good site for these purposes:
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

[Captain Russ]

Thanks for that, Ingrid. I am going to be an insufferable anglophile and read it all.

[Ben Thomas]

Hate to be a pedant, but what we call chips aren't really French Fries. We have fries too, they're skinny. A proper chip is halfway between a fry and a wedge. Made exactly the same way as a fry, just girthier.

[Ed Hocken]

Chips = Steak Fries

And is there any truth to the sterotype that beer is to be served warm?

[Captain Russ]

Hate to be a pedant, but what we call chips aren't really French Fries. We have fries too, they're skinny. A proper chip is halfway between a fry and a wedge. Made exactly the same way as a fry, just girthier.

I meant fries the size of 1/8th of a potato each. That's what I get for replying without review.

Those things are ridiculous by the way.

[B_Metal]

Chips = Steak Fries

And is there any truth to the sterotype that beer is to be served warm?

Not sure that's entirely true.

These are chips (to my understanding)


These are steak fries.



Slight difference.

[Ed Hocken]

Odd, this is how I know them as:

[Captain Russ]

In the classy restaurants I frequent (I do no such thing), they look like what Ed's picture depicts.

Are the upper crust offended by skins? Paper plates too?

Well they won't be getting an invite to my biker rally.

[B_Metal]

Ahh, well if I ordered steak fries at a steak place and got that I'd be like WHAAAAAAAAAAAA??? Those are just fat french fries.

[Ed Hocken]

That's what Fatburger calls them: Fat Fries

Shoestring fries: Skinny Fries

[B_Metal]

Fatburger: doinitrite.