Kathryn Andersen wrote:
What are scants?
Very brief men's underpants, probably a brand-name. They're like bikini pants. Is there a British term, please?
And yes, I know 'going commando' is probably an Americanism, but I
couldn't
resist!
Yes, I've never heard this phrase before.
It means going without underwear. I figured 'commando' itself is a British term so it might pass. Please don't make me change it - it's used again later in a follow-up.
Nico
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In message 01Nov28.100243nzdt.119042@firewall.poal.co.nz, Nicola Mody-Nikoloff mody-nikoloffn@axis-intermodal.co.nz writes
It means going without underwear. I figured 'commando' itself is a British term so it might pass. Please don't make me change it - it's used again later in a follow-up.
I had no idea what it meant either. I think you're going to have seriously consider changing it, because that's several people, from more than one country, who've said "huh?"
Julia Jones wrote:
I had no idea what it meant either. I think you're going to have seriously consider changing it, because that's several people, from more than one country, who've said "huh?"
It's a reference to the US Navy SEALs, a smugly elite special force who are reputed to eschew underwear -- whether for practical reasons in the field, or simply to prove they're extremly macho and so tough they can wear canvas next to their private bits without chafing, I am not certain. Nor do I know whether similar groups in other countries favor undies or not. Perhaps some of our British members could try pantsing a few SAS types to find out?
In any case, yes, it's a USAn phrase.
- Lisa
-- Lisa Williams: lisa@eroicafans.org or lcw@dallas.net Lisa's Video Frame Capture Library: http://framecaplib.com/ From Eroica With Love: http://eroicafans.org/
In message 5.1.0.14.2.20011127164406.04bc2160@pop.eroicafans.org, Lisa Williams lisa@eroicafans.org writes
It's a reference to the US Navy SEALs, a smugly elite special force who are reputed to eschew underwear -- whether for practical reasons in the field, or simply to prove they're extremly macho and so tough they can wear canvas next to their private bits without chafing, I am not certain. Nor do I know whether similar groups in other countries favor undies or not. Perhaps some of our British members could try pantsing a few SAS types to find out?
Ah. Obviously you have never been exposed (I used that phrasing with due deliberation) to that fine example of British culture, _Carry On Up the Khyber_. A film that I feel could do with frequent airing during this current crises...
I'm an American and even though I have watched Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Red Dwarf, and Are you being Served? quite often I'm still not totally familier with all the differances in the two forms of english. And I've been trying to write some fanfic for Blake's 7, so I've been having a bugger of a time. (yes I'm familer with some of the slang and curse words but my vocabulary is limited, even in American english.) If anyone knows of a dictionary of British words and phrases online I'd be ever grateful. Thank you.
Tereth Dragonstar
On Wed, 28 Nov 2001, captjohns wrote:
I'm an American and even though I have watched Doctor Who, Blake's 7,Red Dwarf, and Are you being Served? quite often I'm still not totally familier with all the differances in the two forms of english. And I've been trying to write some fanfic for Blake's 7, so I've been having a bugger of a time. (yes I'm familer with some of the slang and curse words but my vocabulary is limited, even in American english.) If anyone knows of a dictionary of British words and phrases online I'd be ever grateful. Thank you.
You may find Roger's Profanisaurus useful.
http://www.viz.co.uk/profanisaurus/profanis.htm
Iain
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captjohns -
Iain Coleman -
Julia Jones -
Lisa Williams -
Nicola Mody-Nikoloff