So you want to visit Britain

Post by **Colonel Olrik** » 2003-10-27 05:08pm

the phrase "Mind the gap" is spoken everytime the train doors open and is a warning about the distance between the platform and the train entrance. Unlike in Lisbon's sub, for example, that gap can be lenghty enough to be an hazard if you're not paying attention.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-10-27 05:11pm

Oh yes, with some train-station combos, there is a 40-50cm gap, with perhaps a 10cm elevation change.

Then I rode the system in Hamburg, and the gap was under 4cm, with no elevation change.

Coincidence? I think not.

Post by **Colonel Olrik** » 2003-10-27 05:13pm

Howedar wrote:Oh yes, with some train-station combos, there is a 40-50cm gap, with perhaps a 10cm elevation change.

Then I rode the system in Hamburg, and the gap was under 4cm, with no elevation change.

Coincidence? I think not.

It's because London's underground is ancient.

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2003-10-27 09:10pm

What does "Haddaway and Shite" mean? From context it's impolite but I can't figure out more than that.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2003-10-27 09:15pm

Raxmei wrote:What does "Haddaway and Shite" mean? From context it's impolite but I can't figure out more than that.

Is that in the original link? I can't seem to find it.

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2003-10-27 09:26pm

Zac Naloen wrote:
*makes notes* Dammit, I've been living in the dark for so long...

Still, I now have my American roommate saying Bloody Hell, and he is now well acquainted with the word tosser...
does it sound as funny as when the australians say it?

Yeh, but only because the Americans have heard it from me, so all the swear words have a faint yorkshire twang...

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2003-10-27 09:54pm

Rye wrote:
Raxmei wrote:What does "Haddaway and Shite" mean? From context it's impolite but I can't figure out more than that.
Is that in the original link? I can't seem to find it.

Angus's Addenda
It's a little link near the top of the page.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2003-10-27 10:14pm

I honestly have no idea what it's saying...perhaps "hide away and shite"?

LMAO @

While the teams making up the Football League are nominally in competition, certain sides are said to be 'twinned', either because their supporters come from the same geographical area - as in the case of Glasgow's two main teams, Celtic and Rangers - or for historical reasons - as in the case of Manchester United and Chelsea. The 'twinning' mechanism means that even if the team you support isn't playing, you can be assured of a warm welcome among the supporters of the twin team. Simply put on your usual team colours, seat yourself among the fans of your 'twin', and cheer loudly, just as you would if the side you normally support were playing. No one will think it in the least strange, and your awareness of the ancient 'twinning' bonds between the two sides will earn you immediate respect and admiration. Many firm friendships have begun in this way.

Somebody so wants americans to get beaten up.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-10-27 10:20pm

Of course, I've seen people in America with shirts saying 'Mind the Gap' who think it refers to child labor practices committed by the clothing store, so you never know.

That said, this guide is completely accurate. Having once been accosted outside a Lincoln pub by a drunken man with no pants who claimed he had just gotten back from the artic (training for Operation Desert Storm, evidently), I can easily avoid the common American mistake of assuming that the British are, in fact, generally dignified.

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2003-10-27 10:23pm

HemlockGrey wrote:Of course, I've seen people in America with shirts saying 'Mind the Gap' who think it refers to child labor practices committed by the clothing store, so you never know.

That said, this guide is completely accurate. Having once been accosted outside a Lincoln pub by a drunken man with no pants who claimed he had just gotten back from the artic (training for Operation Desert Storm, evidently), I can easily avoid the common American mistake of assuming that the British are, in fact, generally dignified.

I say, what a rotten cad, speaking ill of the rather decent British people? I'd have to ask you to step outside, good sir, where a dignified mob with top hats, monocles and Monopoly boards will throw gloves at you... rather... what, what?

Get him, fellows...

Zoink · Post by **Zoink** » 2003-10-28 09:34am

Colonel Olrik wrote:the phrase "Mind the gap".....

That makes way more sense. I've heard somewhere else about "mind the gappe" meaning a fictional bird, they must have gotten it from that joke.

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To make sure I have this right, are the phrases "tosser" and "wank" used the same as the more common north american phrase "jerk-off"?

So if I say "Bob is a jerk-off", I'm really saying "Bob is a contemptable idiot".

And, if I say "Bob was jerking-off all day", I'm really saying in an insulting manner that Bob was wasting time when he should have been doing something else.

I'm assuming that if I say "Bob is a real tosser", the correct social response is "Yes, he sure is an idiot" and not "Really? When did you find out he masturbates..."

salm · Post by **salm** » 2003-10-28 12:04pm

disturbing how many people didn´t really know if it was a parody or not...

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-10-29 12:27am

Colonel Olrik wrote: It's because London's underground is ancient.

I wonder what health officials would think if they ran commemorative steam trains through the London tube system? Its often done with British and other nations surface railways after all. Just hearing them scream would make it worth while..

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-10-29 08:47am

The train were quite niftily designed, they had a tank to store the waste gasses, and at various points in the underground, fake buildings were erected above and the trains would vent the gasses as they passed under these sort of giant chimneys.