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AaronJ
10-14-2010, 04:33 AM
So, I'm reading my comics yesterday (an insanley huge day -- 13 books), and Knight & Squire #1 by Paul Cornell and Jimmy Broxton was one of my faves.

But seriously, I have no idea what the hell anyone was talking about half the time. An example from the first panel:

"'TCH! What a palaver about a bit of how's your father."

"Here, I should cocoa! He was in a right two and eight!"


Now, I don't know about anyone else, but those words may be English, but those phrases sure as hell aren't.

Fun book, though. And great art.
dirkmont
10-14-2010, 05:19 AM
"'TCH! What a palaver about a bit of how's your father." Translates as "Tut! What a fuss about sex!"

"Here, I should cocoa! He was in a right two and eight!" Translates as "I concur! He was in a terrible state"

That's not technically British, it's Cockney Rhyming slang :)
AaronJ
10-14-2010, 05:21 AM
I figured as much, but it's crazy. Thanks. :)
Alan Lynch
10-14-2010, 05:24 AM
Ooh, I forgot that came out this week. Must get to the store after work.

I've never heard "a right two and eight" before. Me am learning.
Iangould
10-14-2010, 06:14 AM
"two and eight!" = "state".

Sure makes more sense than my guess "mate".

Well time for me to get me head down.
Karl O'Neill
10-14-2010, 07:17 AM
How's your father is SEX.
Iangould
10-14-2010, 07:29 AM
Too right it is.
Captain Clarkie
10-14-2010, 09:23 AM
Ah rhyming slang, this made me have a bit of tin bath after being on my plates all day.
king mob
10-14-2010, 11:36 AM
I've not got a scooby what you're all on about.
Charles RB
10-14-2010, 06:48 PM
An example from the first panel:

"'TCH! What a palaver about a bit of how's your father."

"Here, I should cocoa! He was in a right two and eight!"

I doubt you're meant to understand that: Paul Cornell's likely being incomprehensible to Americans deliberately, as part of a joke.

Basically, think of the weirdest slang from your state that few outside your state would get; now imagine a writer from the state using that slang in a way that would never really get said aloud, and using that to represent your state. That's what Paul seems to be doing.
robbieglenn
10-16-2010, 02:23 AM
Oh god this comic is NOT helping the stereotype of the English....
Jason Abbadon
10-16-2010, 02:40 AM
I'm glad I speak proper American.
Lord Bravery
10-16-2010, 02:48 AM
This book was brilliant. And British slang is the best slang in the world.
Tages
10-16-2010, 03:03 AM
This book was brilliant. And British slang is the best slang in the world.

"So I tell the swamp donkey to sock it before I give her a trunky in the tradesman's entrance and have her lick me yarbles!"

"Wow. You guys are on a completely different level of swearing here."
Lord Bravery
10-16-2010, 03:09 AM
Ahhhh "tradesman's entrance"... literary gold. :biggrin:
Laurence
10-17-2010, 04:53 PM
Yarbles... is that from A Clockwork Orange?
king mob
10-18-2010, 12:44 PM
Yarbles... is that from A Clockwork Orange?

Yes it is.
Tages
10-18-2010, 04:03 PM
Yarbles... is that from A Clockwork Orange?


Yes it is.

I think that's where it originated, but that quote is from Euro Trip. That the man he's talking to is a fanatical Man U supporter played by Vinnie Jones makes it all the funnier.

Translated to American English, it would mean something like "So I told the fugly skank to shut her trap or else I'd boot her in the ass and make her lick my nards."