hkf 0 #1 December 6, 2005 Need some help from Americans only. I'm currently working on an international website, and we have a problem with a particular phrase. Would you interpret the phrase "I'm going to see my mate" as: a) I'm going to see my partner/husband/wife or b) I'm going to see a friend Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,370 #2 December 6, 2005 If I knew the site was developed by a non-USian I'd try to get it from context. In the US, it would solidly mean partner/husband/wife. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #3 December 6, 2005 If it is spoken by an englishmen...it means he is going to see his friend. American.....means he/she is going to see his/her SO. Thats how I would interpret that. BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #4 December 6, 2005 hahahaha - seriously? You guys would really refer to your loved one as the person you mate with? Or is this one of those phrases that you just wouldn't hear out there and if you did hear it from a foreigner you would have to ascribe to it the above meaning? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #5 December 6, 2005 No wonder you're having trouble--all of our responses are different. I would interpret that as seeing a friend.Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkf 0 #6 December 6, 2005 QuoteAmerican.....means he/she is going to see his/her SO. Sorry gets worse, what does SO mean? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #7 December 6, 2005 SO = "Serious Other" - as in the person with whom they'd mate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,423 #8 December 6, 2005 Silly Octopus. I know it sounds odd to us but these Americans use some very strange figures of speechDo you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #9 December 6, 2005 QuoteSilly Octopus. I know it sounds odd to us but these Americans use some very strange figures of speech You don't know the half of it... it's a fucking jungle out there in grammar-land... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,370 #10 December 6, 2005 I know more people who use that than who use "mate" for a good friend. He just asked for opinions. "Mate" is an anglicism/australianism/non-USism; it's nowhere close to incomprehensible, it's just not idiomatic USian. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #11 December 6, 2005 QuoteQuoteSilly Octopus. I know it sounds odd to us but these Americans use some very strange figures of speech You don't know the half of it... it's a fucking jungle out there in grammar-land... ________________________________________ Succinctly stated! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 137 #12 December 6, 2005 QuoteYou don't know the half of it... it's a fucking jungle out there in grammar-land... grammar ?? are you using the metric system now ?? scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #13 December 6, 2005 Quote..Sorry gets worse, what does SO mean? Significant Other. a) I'm going to see my partner/husband/wife/SOMy reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #14 December 6, 2005 "are you using the metric system now ?? " Only for measuring finger length.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkf 0 #15 December 6, 2005 It's actually the url rather than content which is a problem, we develop a lot of dating sites, and have recently added a site where people can buy as a present for a friend a voucher which entitles them to membership. the url is gonna be buyyourmateadate.com. Is it any clearer in this context? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 137 #16 December 6, 2005 Quote"are you using the metric system now ?? " Only for measuring finger length.a finger ? is that 1/4 foot ?? scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #17 December 6, 2005 Quote the url is gonna be buyyourmateadate.com. Is it any clearer in this context? Since it doesn't have the usual .uk" at the end of the url that I would associate with a UK site, I would assume it was an American site and mate would mean loved one. That would seem a little weird to buy my bf a date.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkf 0 #18 December 6, 2005 QuoteThat would seem a little weird to buy my bf a date. This is our concern ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #19 December 6, 2005 Okay, how would you interpret "I'll knock you up in the morning"? Definitely different meanings on opposing Atlantic shores. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #20 December 6, 2005 QuoteOkay, how would you interpret "I'll knock you up in the morning"? Definitely different meanings on opposing Atlantic shores. ___________________________________ We have a saying for what you stated! 'Opportunity, only knocks once!' Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #21 December 6, 2005 I think the greatest example of cross-pond misunderstanding is the Cockneyism: "can I bum a fag?" In the UK you'd just be asking to borrow a cigarette... in the US... well.. I'm sure you all imagine the 'fun and games' that could ensue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #22 December 6, 2005 Kinda on the subject but not really..... One of my FAVORITE show on the BBC is Absolutely Fabulous (though they are reruns now, the show is no longer produced). Though I have to admit, now that I have watched it for a number of years I get what they are saying totally. BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #23 December 6, 2005 QuoteOkay, how would you interpret "I'll knock you up in the morning"? Definitely different meanings on opposing Atlantic shores. ok, i get most of the british expressions, but i'm still trying to figure this one out. seriously, what the hell does it mean? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #24 December 6, 2005 If you become pregnant then you have been "knocked up". An alternative meaning of the phrase is that if you were to knock on someone's door in the morning to wake them up then you would have "knocked them up". The meaning can only be conveyed by the context... kinda like the word "bollocks". That can have many meanings dependant on the context. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #25 December 6, 2005 QuoteAn alternative meaning of the phrase is that if you were to knock on someone's door in the morning to wake them up up then you would have "knocked them up". BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH yeah, totally not what i would have thought that meant at all! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
