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Expressions in England

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

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

To “do a bunk” is to leave early under suspicious circumstances. As in John did a bunk from work probably to watch the match.

I believe that the phrase originated from workhouses where people would use the same bed on different shifts.

RE: Expressions in England

To add to ajack1's definition and for those who are non-english, a match in this case is not a small wooden stick used to start a fire, but generally refers to a game of football, or a game of soccer, if you're american.

corus

RE: Expressions in England

Or cricket if you are English

RE: Expressions in England

In India we use it as a werb form even when we speak our native languages. We bunk college(to see a movie etc.)

RE: Expressions in England

(OP)
To all;

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

In the US a cricket is a "V" shaped structure one attaches to the roof to keep snow and ice from destroying the smoke stack of a wood-burning stove.

RE: Expressions in England

My interpretation has been slightly different from these two expressions:
"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

Two British phases I always liked (but I'm not certain they are common)

"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

I've never heard "belts and straps". I think you mean "belt and braces", a pair of braces being the device that connects to the waist-band of your trousers and goes over your shoulders.

M

--
Dr Michael F Platten

RE: Expressions in England

I think that in the USA braces are known as suspenders. BUT, a suspender belt over here is known as a garter belt over there.

Another example of two nations sperated by a common language.

RE: Expressions in England

yeah, and just try explaining a fanny pack.

RE: Expressions in England

Yeah, especially as most people wear them at the front.

Shortly after coming to Canada, my wife and I were talking to a neighbour about the icy pavements sidewalks. 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".   After regaining his composure from nearly falling off his chair, they explained what that expression meant to each other.

Ahhh ...fun times.


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RE: Expressions in England

Yeah I must admit the first time I visited the States I was amazed to see a sign that read “Jeans to fit your fanny” however when I realised that simply meant large it lost it’s appeal. :-)

RE: Expressions in England

I second jmw's 3/28 interpretation of "do a bunk" having the connotation of skipping town to avoid some kind of legal consequence.

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

Referring to SRead's favourite expressions:
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

So, what expression would one use if one was going to do something dramatic and stick around to be a part of the excitment?

Watch the s*** hit the fan.

RE: Expressions in England

jwm.

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

OK, now I've had to do a web search:
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

A moonlight flirt probably refers to romantic episodes when you were young and didn't have your own apartment, a moonlight flit on the otherhand means to leave your apartment in the middle of the night when you can't afford the rent, or the romance presumably.

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.

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