Expressions in England
Expressions in England
(OP)
My friend was from Gravesend (end of the gravel, he said).
I learned many expressions. There is one I did (do) not understand, and that is;
" do a bunk".
Can anyone explain that phrase to me?
He was one of the nost talented, bright, pleasant and toughest persons I ever met. Unfortunately, he died of cancer at age 30, leaving a wife and 2 sons. Many like me suffered because of it.
jimbo
I learned many expressions. There is one I did (do) not understand, and that is;
" do a bunk".
Can anyone explain that phrase to me?
He was one of the nost talented, bright, pleasant and toughest persons I ever met. Unfortunately, he died of cancer at age 30, leaving a wife and 2 sons. Many like me suffered because of it.
jimbo
Buy a dictionary, keep it nearby and USE it. Webster's New World Dictionary of American English is recommended, and Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.





RE: Expressions in England
I believe that the phrase originated from workhouses where people would use the same bed on different shifts.
RE: Expressions in England
corus
RE: Expressions in England
RE: Expressions in England
RE: Expressions in England
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RE: Expressions in England
Thank you-that clears a problem.
jimbo
Buy a dictionary, keep it nearby and USE it. Webster's New World Dictionary of American English is recommended, and Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
RE: Expressions in England
RE: Expressions in England
"To bunk off" is usually to be abscent without leave, to cut classes etc. and about as serious as you might take such things.
"To do a bunk" is both more serious and something more permanent and usually under circumstances where one would not be surprised to discover unpaid debts left behind or worse and no forwarding address. aka "a moonlight flit".
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: Expressions in England
"I've lit the Blue Touch Paper." Apparently British fireworks have the fuse wraped in blue paper and this is commonly lit instead of the fuse itself. Its use is similar to an American expression, "I've pulled the pin and the Granade is rolling."
Said when you've done something that will soon cause an "Explosion" (The S**T to hit the fan).
British "Belts and Straps."
American "Belts and Suspenders."
Doubly certain your pants (Bags?) will stay up.
Overly cautious or guaranteed at least two ways.
RE: Expressions in England
M
--
Dr Michael F Platten
RE: Expressions in England
Another example of two nations sperated by a common language.
RE: Expressions in England
RE: Expressions in England
Shortly after coming to Canada, my wife and I were talking to a neighbour about the icy
pavementssidewalks. He told us that his mother had recently slipped on the ice & fallen on her Fanny!!! We looked at each other ... at first surprised that he would use such a term ... & then somewhat puzzled while we tried to imagine how she could contort herself to land on her .... well, what we thought she had landed on.Another time, my wife was talking to a Catholic Priest who for one reason or another, needed cheering up ... during the course of their conversation she told him to "Keep his Pecker up".
Ahhh ...fun times.
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RE: Expressions in England
RE: Expressions in England
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Expressions in England
To do a bunk...
Means to doss.. sneak away.... not do ones work...
Keano.
RE: Expressions in England
the full instruction on fireworks was (maybe still is):
"Light the blue touch paper and stand well clear."
The last part is an important admonission, usually not said because it is implied, that has an important bearing on the best use of this phrase.
One uses this expression to signify that you have done something that is going to cause "explosions" and it often also means that you will be safely cowering under your desk and away from the immediate fallout. i.e. you are not at risk but someone else probably is.
So, what expression would one use if one was going to do something dramatic and stick around to be a part of the excitment?
PS Keano, I don't agree. As I said above, what you describe is "bunking off" and not "to do a bunk" aka "a moonlight flit".
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: Expressions in England
Watch the s*** hit the fan.
RE: Expressions in England
Talked with some of my colleague's, asked them want they thought Bunk ment?
"Doss" was the general answer.
Nobody seem's to have heard it used in the context of a "moonlight flirt"
Keano.
RE: Expressions in England
Do a bunk:
Vrb phrs. To leave hurriedly, escape. E.g."He did a bunk, out of the bedroom window, when his parents came home unexpectedly."
Bunk off:
Verb. To shirk one's duties. A common adolescent's term for avoiding school lessons.
Source:
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/d.htm
I think this is more or less in line with my interpretation.
A search using the phrase "do a bunk" also brings some examples of its usage consistent with this interpretation.
In any event i shall fall back on the defence that this is the manner in which i use these phrases and the manner in which i have heard them used to me, rightly or wrongly.
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: Expressions in England
Doss means to sleep, ie. to doss at your friend's apartment because you had to do a moonlight flit...
corus
RE: Expressions in England
Very witty.
Must get my eyes tested.